COME AND SEE

Time with Jesus - Sunday, 24 June 2012

Hi all,

2000 years ago Jesus spoke effectively five words to two of John’s disciples who came and asked Him where He lived. Condensed these words were “Follow Me” and “Come and see”! Today, His words are unaltered but can be put into a single sentence. “Follow Me and Come and See”! It’s more or less the only things He ever says to newcomers. It’s still true. Follow Me and Come and See! Today this is our meditation.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Sunday, 24 June 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	COME AND SEE
From the day we docked in Cape Town on the Carnarvon Castle, we lived in hotels. That’s not something to boast about. It was like that, because during WW2, very few houses were built and even rental property was hard to find. In addition, most hotels were “Residential” and cheap. My Dad told me that when we moved into Hornby House in Humewood, Port Elizabeth, the hotel costs were £7 per person per month. In other words He paid £18 per month for all three of us. This included three meals per day. The last time I was in Port Elizabeth, Hornby House was still there. But now it had been converted into apartments, catering primarily for holiday makers. No meals provided. Since it’s slap bang on the Humewood beach front, there is no shortage of holiday makers at ±R750 per day. When we lived there in 1950 the idea of such staggering rents didn’t even appear on our radar screen! At the beginning of 1952, through a friend of a friend, we rented a flat in Pearson Street. And shortly thereafter rented a house in Park Lane almost next to St Georges Park. We had gone from a flat to a house. Such a possibility was unimaginable when we were in Hornby House. By 1959/60, developers were building more and more houses so it was easier to buy your own home than to pay the rent. It wasn’t until 1960 that Dad could buy a house. Having lived in hotels and rented property since 1947, it was like going to heaven. If I had been asked in 1947 to describe my “dream home” I think my mind would have gone “tilt”. But now we were living in it. I was 5 in 1947. I was 18 in 1960. The imagination of a 5 year old does not measure up to the reality of what things are to an 18 year old. In many respects, what is described above is reminiscent of what Paul wrote to the Corinthians: 9 But as Scripture says: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him."1 Corinthians 2:9 GW We can never even try and guess the things God has prepared for us. It will be infinitely greater than the difference between the imagination of a 5 year old and an 18 year old. One thing we do know is that Jesus Christ has gone to prepare a place for us. Scripturally each one of us will receive a mansion. I’m reluctant to try and guess what this might be. This I do know. 8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.2 Peter 3:8 NLT Jesus ascended on a Thursday. Two “days” later takes us to the middle of Saturday. So He’s only been preparing for us for two days! Furthermore, if today for Him is Saturday afternoon then it’s His Sabbath. I’m not sure how much preparing He is doing today? Not that it matters. He will come when all is ready. I can wait! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			38 Jesus looked around and saw them following. "What do you want?" He asked them. They replied, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are You staying?" 39 "Come and see," He said. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when they went with Him to the place where He was staying, and they remained with Him the rest of the day. John 1:38-39 NLT 2 There is plenty of room for you in my Father's home. If that weren't so, would I have told you that I'm on my way to get a room ready for you? 3 And if I'm on my way to get your room ready, I'll come back and get you so you can live where I live. John 14:2-3 MSG 20 Look, I'm standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I'll come in and we'll eat together. 21 I will allow everyone who wins the victory to sit with me on my throne, as I have won the victory and have sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches." Revelation 3:20-22 GW 15 For this is what the high and lofty One says-- he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 57:15 NIV 20 Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end." Matthew 28:20 NIrV 7 How precious is Your loving-kindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. Psalms 36:7 NASB	John’s disciples followed Him. “What do you want: said He? “Where are you living Rabbi?” He answered, “Come and see”? Two thousand odd years later, the same thing is still true. We ask Him where’s He’s living? He says to me and you, “Follow Me and I will surely take you on a road, That ultimately takes you to My heavenly abode.” He doesn’t show before-hand what it’s like in His home. To give a full description would fill a giant tome. You can’t describe what’s infinite with any English words. Just the thought of doing it is utterly absurd. How do you pour the oceans into a little jug? If you think you can do it, my friend, don’t be so smug! And yet the Lord has hinted at what it is we’ll see. He says it is a mansion He’s making just for me! And I am not the only one. He’s making one for you. And every other Christian will find they have one too! So Jesus has been busy since he went up above Building us a mansion which speaks about His love. Each mansion will be different. Each one is tailor made To fit the personalities of those who have obeyed. If you like fitted carpets, they’ll be upon the floor. All your aspirations you’ll find they’re there and more. For if you can imagine it, your thinking’s far too small. It’s infinitely better than what you can recall. I don’t know how He’ll do this; each mansion’s right next door, To where the King is “living”. You couldn’t ask for more. To live next door to Holiness, means you’ll be holy too. O Master I can hardly wait to be a bit like You! O Lord Your loving-kindness. It blows my puny mind. There isn’t any other God that anyone can find. O Lord, You are exclusive and totally unique. All You ever want to do, You only have to speak; And it starts its existence. It stands before your throne; Only You can do this. Just You and You alone! How can a man describe these things? Your Spirit indicates, The things we cannot guess at, or even estimate. For what you have prepared for those who seek to follow You. And follow in obedience, Your Holy will to do. Jim Strickland  Written 24th June 2012