Living In The Light

February 21, Come And See

He said to them, “Come and see.”
—John 1:39 LL 59.1

In a brief interview by the wayside they could not receive that for which they longed. They desired to be alone with Jesus, to sit at His feet, and hear His words. LL 59.2

“He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where He dwelt, and abode with Him that day.” LL 59.3

If John and Andrew had possessed the unbelieving spirit of the priests and rulers, they would not have been found as learners at the feet of Jesus. They would have come to Him as critics, to judge His words. Many thus close the door to the most precious opportunities. But not so did these first disciples. They had responded to the Holy Spirit’s call in the preaching of John the Baptist. Now they recognized the voice of the heavenly Teacher. To them the words of Jesus were full of freshness and truth and beauty. A divine illumination was shed upon the teaching of the Old Testament Scriptures. The many-sided themes of truth stood out in new light. LL 59.4

It is contrition and faith and love that enable the soul to receive wisdom from heaven. Faith working by love is the key of knowledge, and everyone that loveth “knoweth God” (1 John 4:7). LL 59.5

The disciple John was a man of earnest and deep affection, ardent, yet contemplative. He had begun to discern the glory of Christ—not the worldly pomp and power for which he had been taught to hope, but “the glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14. He was absorbed in contemplation of the wondrous theme. LL 59.6

Andrew sought to impart the joy that filled his heart. Going in search of his brother Simon, he cried, “We have found the Messias.” Simon waited for no second bidding. He also had heard the preaching of John the Baptist, and he hastened to the Savior. The eye of Christ rested upon him, reading his character and his life history. His impulsive nature, his loving, sympathetic heart, his ambition and self-confidence, the history of his fall, his repentance, his labors, and his martyr death—the Savior read it all, and He said, “Thou art Simon the son ofJona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.”— The Desire of Ages , pp. 138, 139. LL 59.7

Further Reflection: Ellen White wrote that contrition, faith, and love enable us to receive the wisdom God wants to give His children. Why is each of these three graces so critical to receiving wisdom from God? LL 59.8