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John 1: 43-51

Pastor Jenny Lee, Ph.D.

“Come and See!”

I want to start with something funny I found on an internet site: Three buildings in town were overrun by squirrels: the town hall, the hardware store, and the church. The town hall brought in some cats. But after they tore up all the files, the mayor got rid of the cats, and soon the squirrels were back. The hardware store humanely trapped the squirrels and set them free outside of town. But three days later, the squirrels climbed back in. Only the church came up with an effective solution. They baptized the squirrels and made them members. Now, they see them only on Christmas and Easter.

Are you one of the church members who come only twice a year, during Christmas and Easter? I don’t believe you are. Regardless of the circumstances, you consistently attend church to worship God. I am proud of your unwavering faith!

When I was a child, my uncles, aunts, and relatives often asked me, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ In my early years, I would enthusiastically respond, ‘I want to be a policewoman’— it was my first dream, sparked by my fascination with their uniforms.  As time passed, my aspirations evolved. ‘I want to be a lawyer,’ became my new ambition, influenced by my parents’ encouragement after winning first place in a speech competition. Later, in my teens, ‘I want to be an artist’ emerged as my creative passion. During the holidays, many relatives visited our house and I anticipated their inevitable question. If I responded promptly, they would reward me with a candy bar—an enticing incentive. There was always a reward for me. Do you find yourself asking your grandchildren what they want to be when they grow up? Does anyone in your family pose this question to your little cousins, nieces, or nephews? Have you ever wondered why this question is asked? As a child, I pondered the reason behind being asked; my focus was solely on earning the reward.

However, I had the opportunity to reflect on this when I visited my country last year. My younger sister asked me to inquire about her daughter’s aspirations, prompting me to wonder about the significance of the question. She explained, ‘Because I want to hear about my daughter’s dreams, what she wants to do, and what she wants to be.’ Have you had discussions with your grandchildren or children about their future aspirations? There’s a prevalent concern that contemporary younger generations lack dreams, living without hope. Tragically, some resort to suicide due to a perceived absence of hope for their future.

I recognize that adults often ask young people about their aspirations because they aim to instill hope, dreams, and a positive mindset for the future. Embracing a dream is akin to unlocking the door to the possibilities that God has planted within us. Essentially, inquiring about the dreams of your grandchildren serves the purpose of helping them uncover their potential gifts.  The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but rather a life devoid of meaning, purpose, and dreams. Many people navigate through life without ever discovering God’s intended purpose for their existence. We are not an accident; rather, we were intentionally created for a purpose, designed as God’s masterpiece.

Last Sunday, I requested each of you to complete the form titled ‘My Resolution List for the Church in 2024.’ Unfortunately, only a few have returned it to me. I encourage those who haven’t done so to fill out the resolution list and place it in the offering plate.  Ad Council members, kindly collect and pass them to me. I appreciate your cooperation and hope you can return the form by the end of this month.

I hope that you harbor a vision for the church. Without a collective dream, the risk of the church edging closer to closure becomes evident. The scripture in Proverbs wisely states, “Where there is no vision (Prophecy), the people cast off restraint, but happy are those who keep the law” (Proverbs 29:18). Without a clear a vision, it feels like we are running towards the unknown. Likewise, without dreams for the church ministry, it is akin to surrendering it.

Therefore, let’s nurture and cultivate your dreams for the church, sowing the seeds of hope and joy through the Holy Spirit. This will ensure that we do not grow weary in doing what is right, as stated in Galatians 6:7-10.  I emphasized earlier that we were created for a purpose. I encourage you to pray for discernment regarding God’s purpose for you. Furthermore, pray for God’s purpose in the lives of your children and grandchildren.

We discover God’s purpose in the calling of his disciples in today’s scripture. By examining this, you may discern God’s purpose in calling us to our church. According to the Gospel of John (1:35-37), the initial disciples of Jesus were John the Baptist’s followers, namely John and Andrew. Andrew in turn, introduced his brother Peter to Jesus. Continuing the narrative, the following day, Jesus decided to journey to Galilee, where He encountered Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ The scripture then details Philip’s hometown, Bethsaida, and notes Peter and Andrew hailed from Bethsaida as well. Although some may be aware that their region was Galilee, it’s essential to recognize that Jesus specifically called three disciples from Bethsaida out of the twelve.

Please take note of the significance of the city’s name. The word ‘Bethsaida’ translates to ‘the house of Fishman.’ Indeed, as you may be aware, its residents were fishermen. Bethsaida holds in connection with Jesus’ ministry. Notably, it is where Jesus miraculously fed five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish (Mark 6:34-45; Luke 9:10-17). Additionally, Bethsaida witnessed the healing of the blind by Jesus (Mark 8:22-26).  Despite these numerous miracles, the people in the city of Bethsaida didn’t believe in Jesus. In Matthew 11:21, Jesus expressed disappointment, saying, “Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.” Jesus draws a comparison, implying that the people of Bethsaida will face destruction for their lack of belief, even though they witnessed remarkable miracles. Therefore, Jesus called his disciples Peter, Andrew, and Philip from Bethsaida, a place where they faced impending perils due to unbelief. This act was a blessing, as it served to rescue them and, through them, bring salvation to many. Truly, it was divine grace.

God also calls us. God loved us first and beckoned us from the places where we would otherwise perish, be corrupted, and face punishment, guiding us to a place of blessings— this very house of God. Some among you have been part of the church since birth, directly called by God.  Others have joined through invitations from friends, family, or neighbors. Regardless, you are here. Now, what is your purpose here?

Philip extended an invitation to his friend Nathanael to meet Jesus. Considering Nathanael’s background as a law scholar, it’s reasonable to assume that not all the disciples were fishermen. The significance of Jesus observing Nathanael under the fig tree suggests his scholarly association with the Law. Now, what about you? Following Philp’s example, you can invite your friends or neighbors, saying, “Come and See!”  Witness the hope in our church, observe how God works in our midst, and experience the blessings. Inviting those who are not part of the church is akin to calling them out from places where they face peril, punishment, and corruption. If you have a deep affection for your family and friends, extend an invitation to lead them to Jesus. May God bless you! Thanks be to God. Amen!

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