“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life.” (John 5.39)

New Testament Challenge, Day 16 – John 1-5
The chapters for today are replete with a common theme: “Come and See” which we hear first form the Lord’s lips as He embraced Saint Andrew, “’Come and see.’ They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day.” (John 1.39) Saint Andrew was a disciple of Saint John the Baptist who, “came for a witness, to be bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.” (John 1.7) so he was fully prepared to follow Christ when He appeared.

“Come and see” also implies the necessity for a real physical witness of the truth to fully believe and be saved as the Lord said, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” (John 5.39-40) If we do not have a real physical experience and communion with God we do not have life.

It is a nice coincidence that these chapters are read today as part of the New Testament Challenge, the feast of Saint Andrew. As Orthodox Christians we come and see Christ in the Eucharist as we “worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4.24) We experience Him just as Andrew did some 2000 years ago. He is calling to us today, “Come and see.” Will we come and remain with Him and those first Apostles did?