Come and See.
Today the apostles Philip & James are commemorated. It’s unclear what is known about these two, except that there are other folks in the bible named Philip (the deacon) and James (the greater or the just, or the writer of the new testament letters), neither of which are the Philip & James commemorated today. What we know about these two is very little. James who’s commemorated isn’t mentioned anywhere except in the list of the disciples. I like that he was there, in the background. He wouldn’t have even been nominated for a best supporting actor in this story. He’s just in the crowd scenes. But he’s there.
Philip isn’t mentioned anywhere except the Gospel of John. He plays an interesting catalyzing role. He asks questions that set up Jesus for spectacular answers. For example, at the last supper, he asks Jesus to see the Father. In response, Jesus is able to say that whoever has seen Jesus has seen the father. Likewise, at the feeding of the 5000, he’s the one who responds to Jesus’ question about where to find the bread that it would take more than a year’s wages to get enough bread. He answers questions in a way that leaves open the possibility of God’s further action.
I love the simplicity of Philip. He asks the questions that, for us knowing the rest of the story, seem simple and obvious. Where can we get enough food? You talk about the Father, but where is he? What I appreciate in these stories is that Philip asked the question. His responses required a bravery to speak out publicly that I don’t often have with authority. If I were in those places, I’d likely be the one thinking those things and hoping someone else would speak up. Go Philip! I’m right behind you.
Philip is also one of the original disciples, and is one who’s named as getting others. He’s called by Jesus, and responds to Jesus’ request to ‘follow me’. We then hear a simple but powerful story about Philip. It says he went and found Nathaniel, described Jesus as the one about whom Moses & the prophets wrote. Nathaniel’s response is the well known, “does anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip’s response is, “Come and see”.
This reminds me of childhood friendships. About finding something really good or interesting and what I most wanted to do was to share with a friend. In grade school, you’d run across the alley into their back door, grab them by the hand, and say, come and see. And the two of you would run out to see the childhood wonder.
This morning I’m thinking about the ease with which we could say that as a child over small things, come and see. We didn’t care if they didn’t think it was exciting. It never occurred to us that there would be any embarrassment or incredulous looks from our friend. We were excited, we wanted to share, ergo come and see. As adults, we have the same excitement, and want to share. But we’re embarrassed, or nervous about their reaction, so unlike Philip, we don’t put ourselves out there and say, come and see.
Why do I care about other’s reactions of my faith? Or my church? I want that childhood abandon to respond with Philip’s simple, Come and see.
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