Sometimes, it starts with a simple glance. You look up and notice something that’s been there all along—the design of clouds floating through the sky, the intricate detail of frost on a window pane, or the beauty in your friend’s eyes over a cup of coffee. Looking requires intentionality. It’s more than just seeing; it’s pausing, paying attention, and being open to beauty, design, and grandeur.
This kind of intentional looking is at the heart of John 1:35-51, where we encounter the verbs that shape a journey of faith: look, come, see, follow. In this passage, Jesus calls His first disciples into a life beyond their imagination. And these four verbs trace the movement of their hearts toward Him.
Look: Recognizing What’s Before You
The next day, John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:35-36)
When John saw Jesus passing by, his exclamation was almost casual. Yet, there is no doubt John’s exclamation was intentional! John’s statement redirects his disciples’ attention. Their eyes shift toward Jesus, and the journey begins.
Looking is the first step. It’s the moment of recognition, of noticing Christ as He reveals Himself. How often do we miss this moment in our daily lives? The distractions are endless, yet the invitation remains: “Look. Behold. See where God is at work.”
Come: Taking the First Step
“Come and see,” Jesus invites (John 1:39). The disciples ask where He is staying, but Jesus doesn’t just give them an address. Instead, He offers an invitation to experience, draw near, and move from curiosity to proximity.
Responding to the invitation to “come” requires courage. It means leaving behind the familiar and stepping into the unknown. What might God be inviting you to step toward today? Perhaps you hear Jesus’ invitation to come, take His yoke, and find rest and comfort in His taking the lead in your life!
See: Discovering the Revelation
As they come, they see—but not just with physical eyes. These men spend the day with Jesus. Don’t you wonder about their walking together, their conversations, and the place where Jesus took them? There are so many questions! But obviously, their time with Jesus unveils something deeper. Andrew finds his brother Simon Peter and announces he has seen the Messiah! Then he brings him to Jesus!
Seeing in this context is about revelation. It’s when God opens the eyes of our hearts to perceive His truth.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people (Ephesians 1:18).
How often do we pray, “Lord, help me to see”? To see beyond the surface, beyond our fears and assumptions, into the reality of His presence and purpose?
Follow: Committing to the Path
Finally, the disciples follow. Andrew brings his brother Simon to Jesus. Philip finds Nathanael. The invitation to follow isn’t just about physically walking behind Jesus; it’s about a commitment of the heart, a surrender to the journey of discipleship.
Following is not a one-time decision. It’s a daily choice to trust, obey, and keep our eyes fixed on Christ. What does the following look like for you today? Perhaps it’s trusting God in uncertainty, giving Him your anxieties, or forgiving someone who has hurt you.
An Ordinary Life Transformed
These four verbs—look, come, see, follow—are not just for the disciples in John’s Gospel. They are for us in our ordinary lives. They are the movements of a heart drawn to Christ.
- Look: Where is God already at work around you? Pause and notice.
- Come: What invitation from God are you hesitant to accept? Step toward Him.
- See: How might God want to open your eyes to His presence and purpose?
- Follow: What practical way can you commit to following Christ today?
Closing Reflection
As you meditate on John 1:35-51, consider where Jesus invites you to look, come, see, and follow today. These simple yet significant movements shape our journeys as believers. They remind us that faith is not static; it is dynamic, active, and transformative.
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