“Come and see.” Such simple words—but they carry an invitation that changes lives.
This invitation is not reserved for the religious elite or the spiritually polished. It’s for
everyone—the skeptical Nathanaels, the curious Andrews, and even those like the
Samaritan woman at the well who never imagined they’d be sought out by God Himself.
This year, FCCOC embraces this theme as a call to action: “Come and See!” Jesus still
invites us—and those we meet—to experience the transforming power of His presence.
When Andrew and Philip used these words, they weren’t offering theological debates or
complicated explanations. They were extending an invitation to encounter something
extraordinary: the Messiah. In John 1:39, when Andrew and another disciple ask Jesus
where He is staying, His response is a gracious, “Come and you will see.” Later, Philip
repeats this phrase to Nathanael, who doubts that anything good can come from
Nazareth. Philip doesn’t argue—he simply invites. That’s the beauty of evangelism: it
doesn’t require eloquence or expertise in Bible, just a genuine desire to connect others to
the Savior.
The Samaritan woman in John 4 exemplifies this. After meeting Jesus and recognizing
Him as the Messiah, she runs to her village and says, “Come, see a man who told me
everything I ever did.” She doesn’t wait for perfect answers or a polished testimony. She
shares her personal experience, trusting that the encounter itself will resonate with others.
And it does—many in her village come to believe because of her testimony.
Evangelism, at its core, is about invitation. It begins with our own encounter with Christ
and grows as we open the door for others to experience Him. To invite someone to
“come and see” is to participate in God’s unfolding drama of salvation. It’s a privilege and
adventure to share His grace in our workplaces, neighborhoods, and daily interactions,
creating opportunities for others to encounter the transformative love of Christ.
Let’s let 2025 be the year our hearts are lit aflame by missionary zeal, where we boldly
extend the life-changing invitation to Jesus with clarity, courage, and conviction: “Come
and see!”
Maranatha, Jordy
