DECEMBER 1

Come and See

Bible Reading: John 1

John 1:39, “He saith unto them, ‘Come and see’.”

John 1:46, “Philip said to him, ‘Come and see’.”

Let me borrow this phrase, “come and see,” from its immediate context because it serves as a befitting introduction to the Gospel of John and its first chapter.

John chapter 1 introduces major themes that are reiterated and expanded upon in subsequent chapters.  These themes are commonly bound to John’s purpose in writing his inspired account.  His purpose is stated in John 20:30-31, “May other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”  It would be fair to say that John’s gospel is an invitation to us to “come and see” that which the Apostle John himself witnessed regarding Jesus Christ.

John’s first chapter is replete with words having to do with this “come and see” matter.  The word “Word” (which speaks to Jesus as self-revelation of God) is used 4X.  The word “light” (Jesus as the source of spiritual enlightenment) is used 6X.  The words “see” is found 5X.  The words “behold” or “beheld” occur 6X.  The word “witness,” which means “to bear testimony” of something seen, is found 7X.

Correlating to this great theme is the precious declaration made by the Apostle John in verse 14, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the father, full of grace and truth.”  The word “glory” speaks of “the nature of God in self-manifestation” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary).  John’s testimony was that he beheld the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.  What did he see in Jesus?  He spoke of Him as the Word and thus identified Him to be the divine Son of God.  Certain related truths regarding Jesus are affirmed from the very beginning of John’s gospel: 1) He is eternal (John 1:1); 2) He was with God (John 1:1); 3) He is God (John 1:1); 4) He is the creator of all things (John 1:3); 5) He is the source of life (John 1:4); He is the source of light (John 1:4-5).  His identity as the “only begotten from the father” was confirmed by His many miracles (lit. “attesting signs”).  John highlights seven of them in His gospel account, though no book could ever hope to record the “many other things which Jesus did” (John 21:25). 

The Word became flesh.  Jesus “emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7).  He dwelt among men.  John was a witness to the truth regarding Jesus.  He saw Him, heard Him, and touched Him (1 John 1:1).  What did he see and hear?  He heard a man who spoke as no other man and saw Him do things that no man had ever done before.  He saw the glory of His divine nature, for He was “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14; John 1:17). 

The Apostle John was a witness to the truth concerning Jesus.  He beheld the beauty of His godly and sinless character.  He saw Him lovingly minister to the needs of others.  He saw Him healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, feeding the multitudes, and walking on water and calming the storm.  He was there, when with a word, Jesus called Lazarus forth from the tomb.  He was a witness to the death and resurrection of Jesus.  He was one who saw and then pleaded with others to “come and see.”  He faithfully devoted his life to that cause (1 John 1:2-3).  He “could not help but speak of what (he had) seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).  He willingly suffered persecution for “the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 1:9).

The Apostle John wrote His gospel that we might “come and see” what he saw, and in seeing, believe in Jesus Christ unto eternal life (John 20:30-31).  Indeed, all the Scriptures were written that they might “bear witness” to Him (John 5:39).  The Holy Spirit has that same ministry (John 15:26; 16:14) and He invites us to behold the glory of the person and work of Jesus as we read through this precious gospel account.  Look for it—yearn to behold it—as you read!

TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS

Tell me the story of Jesus,
write on my heart every word;
tell me the story most precious,
sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how the angels, in chorus,
sang as they welcomed His birth,
“Glory to God in the highest!
Peace and good tidings to earth.”

Refrain:
Tell me the story of Jesus,
write on my heart every word;
tell me the story most precious,
sweetest that ever was heard.

Fasting alone in the desert,
tell of the days that are past;
how for our sins He was tempted,
yet was triumphant at last.
Tell of the years of His labor,
tell of the sorrow He bore;
He was despised and afflicted,
homeless, rejected, and poor. [Refrain]

Tell of the cross where they nailed Him,
writhing in anguish and pain;
tell of the grave where they laid Him,
tell how He liveth again.
Love in that story so tender,
clearer than ever I see:
stay, let me weep while you whisper,
love paid the ransom for me. [Refrain

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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