"Thou shalt see greater things than these."
--John 1:50
When I was 8 years old, our family moved to Indiana. That first summer, I experienced for the first time, a furious summer storm. The rain came down hard and loud; the skies were almost black with the thick storm clouds. Lightning flashed through the sky and the loud thunder claps shook the house. The summer storms were incredible and never lasted long.
After that first amazing summer storm, the clouds cleared - swept away by a brisk wind. The sun burst through revealing a vivid rainbow. Each color distinctly visible. The rest of the family was ushered out the front door with the call "Come and See!"
Just over two thousand years ago, a similary invitation was given to two mean who were fishing. As Christ walked along the shore of the Seaof Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew, casting their net into the sea, for they were fishermen. They said unto Him, "Rabbi, where dwellest thou?" and He said unto them, "Come and see" (John 1:38,39; see also Matthew 4:18-19). Several other men were given the same invitation, and one of them, Philip, ran to tell his friend Nathanael, who questioned whether or not Jesus was the real Messiah. Philip answered him, "Come and see" (John 1:46).
This simple invitation summarizes the Master's ministry. His was always an invitation: come and see; come follow me; come unto me. He asked His followers to come, and then He showed them the blessings that followed the simple invitation: water turned to wine; loaves and fishes multiplied; the lame walked; the blind saw; the dead would live again. The invitation was always extended. Acceptance was left to the individual. They could do as did the disciples -- who straightway forsook their nets and followed Him -- or they could continjje the journey alone, completely missing the blessing of the wonderous sights they might have beheld.
Today we are given the same invitation that was extended many years ago to the fishermen of Galilee: set aside your nets and come and see. But, will we leave behind our nets, which are so full of other interests and everyday challenges?
We are pulled at on every side by distractions that entangle us. Time constraints, daily chores, work demands, worldly pursuits, pride, or other pressures may prevent us from developing a relationship with Christ. If we are truly happy, if we are to reach our full potentil, I believe we must create a place for the Savior in our lives. I testify the sacrifice is worth it. The precious moments that will come as we cast aside our nets will allow us to discover something of much greater worth. As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, "My desire today is for all of us... to have more straightforward personal experience with the Savior's example. Sometimes we seek heaven too obliquely, focusing on programs or history or the experience of others. Those are important but not as important as personal experience, tru discipleship, and the strength that comes from experiencing firsthand the majesty of His touch" ("Broken Things to Mend," Ensign, May 2006).
Two thousand years ago, two fishermen left their nets and walked away from everything that would hold them back from coming to know Jesus Christ. Heeding the invitation, they followed the Savior and were blessed to experience incredible events, which burned an undeniable testimony upon their souls. If we are willing, we too can find opportunities that will allow us to come to know the Savior personally.
Learn to listen for the quiet invitation of the Master, the times when He invites you to come and see. Most often this whisper will come as we read the scriptures, visit the temple, attend church meetings, and during the still moments when we sincerely pray. Perhaps you will be led to places in your life where you can come to know Christ more fully. Maybe you will learn how to incorporate His attributes into your character. Hopefully you will come to know and recognize the peace and comfort His Spirit makes possible.
Make this the first step on your journey. The soft rhythm of sandaled feet might not accompany you, but if you prepare with a prayer in your heart before the experiences of each day, I am confident that the Spirit of the Lord will whisper assurances to your soul that you do not travel alone.
If you want to know who Christ is, come and see. If you need to find answers to deep longings within your soul, come and see. If you are desperate to know the healing power of Christ can and will bring, come and see. If you want to become a true follower of the Christ, come and see.
THE INVITATION - Come
Read the account of the fishermen in Mark 1:16-18 and in John 1:38-39
