What are you interested in enough to drop what are doing to go see something?
Is it usually something significant that you’ve heard about that provides motivation?
Or could it be something simple that you greatly enjoy?
One simple thing that motivates me to “come and see” is a gorgeous sunset or sunrise.
This simple thing also motivates me to invite others to “come and see.”
But this simple thing pales compared to who extended the offer to “come and see” in today’s passage.
And what motivated the invitees to do so.
Why Would You Come and See?
A Study of John 1:35-42 | The Passage
35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”[1]
Describe what happened the two days before this? (See John 1:19-28)
Now describe what happened one day before verse 35? (See John 1:29-34)
What does the title, “Lamb of God” mean from verse 29?
Read the following scripture and describe how they relate to John’s title “the Lamb of God” for Jesus.
From Genesis 22 about God’s testing of Abraham and God’s provision:
9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” [2]
From Exodus 12, instructions for the Passover meal before the Israelites left Egypt:
3 Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household. 4 And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats, 6 and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight.
7 “Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 8 They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it[3]
From Leviticus 14, about rules for being cleansed from leprosy:
10 “And on the eighth day he shall take two male lambs without blemish, and one ewe lamb a year old without blemish, and a grain offering of three tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, and one log of oil. 11 And the priest who cleanses him shall set the man who is to be cleansed and these things before the Lord, at the entrance of the tent of meeting. 12 And the priest shall take one of the male lambs and offer it for a guilt offering, along with the log of oil, and wave them for a wave offering before the Lord. 13 And he shall kill the lamb in the place where they kill the sin offering and the burnt offering, in the place of the sanctuary. For the guilt offering, like the sin offering, belongs to the priest; it is most holy.[4]
From Numbers 6:
13 “And this is the law for the Nazirite, when the time of his separation has been completed: he shall be brought to the entrance of the tent of meeting, 14 and he shall bring his gift to the Lord, one male lamb a year old without blemish for a burnt offering, and one ewe lamb a year old without blemish as a sin offering, and one ram without blemish as a peace offering, 15 and a basket of unleavened bread, loaves of fine flour mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers smeared with oil, and their grain offering and their drink offerings.[5]
From Isaiah 53:
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all. [6]
37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. [7]
Why did these two disciples leave John to follow Jesus? (Review John 1:19-34 or your responses to the questions above.)
38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”[8]
Why is it important to know that Jesus turned to see these two who were following him?
What is the purpose of Jesus’ question, “What are you seeking?”
How does their response to Jesus’ question reveal their heart’s desire?
39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.[9]
What do you learn about Jesus in his response to these two men?
Why did these men stay with Jesus?
40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ).[10]
What does Andrew do after following Jesus?
42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter). [11]
Who is doing the “seeing” here? Why?
What else does “Cephas” mean?
Why does Jesus say this to Simon Peter? (See Matthew 16:13-18 for more insight)
Why Would You Come and See?
A Study of John 1:35-42 | Application
Who do you most want to talk to when something good has happened to you? Why?
How has Jesus turned toward you to ask you what you are seeking?
Describe when Jesus invited you to “come and see” him.
List those who have helped or are currently helping you grow in your relationship with Jesus.
Now list those whom you have helped or are currently helping grow in their relationship with Jesus.
How is the invitation “come and see” a positive motivational tool?
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, our Messiah. Thank you, that Andrew shared the news with his brother, Simon Peter. Thank you, that Jesus welcomed them into life together to grow and learn what it means to come and see Him. Open our hearts to the same excitement and commitment as these first disciples to continue to come and see you as well as invite others to do the same. Amen.
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Jn 1:35–36.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ge 22:9–14.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ex 12:2–8.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Le 14:10–13.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Nu 6:13–15.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Is 53:6.
[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Jn 1:37.
[8] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Jn 1:37–38.
[9] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Jn 1:39.
[10] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Jn 1:39–41.
[11] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Jn 1:42.