Come. It is a word of invitation, a word of inclusion, a word of relationship, of becoming known.
The Apostle John uses the word come, or erchomai in the Greek, 142 times in the book of John, more than any other gospel writer. Erchomai is rich with meaning. It can simply mean, to come or to go. But it also contains implications of being known and of growth. John tells us that Jesus knows all men (and women by implication). (John 2:24) He knows us. He understands us. But He also wants to invite us to know Him; that is why He came.
He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:11-14, emphasis mine)
Later in the book of John, the disciple whom Jesus loved (AKA our man John) relates that Jesus not only wants us to receive Him, He wants us to have a deepening, growing relationship with Him.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. (John 15:4)
Indeed, John is very forthright in his gospel, so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. (John 20:31)
Life is found in Jesus. (John 1:4)
Come. I invite you to embark on a journey with me. Together I would like to explore what an abiding relationship with Jesus looks like through the gospel of John (at least that’s where I’d like to jump from). I don’t know exactly what this will look like just yet. I just know that it’s a dream Holy Spirit put on my heart a couple years ago. And just today, He called me to use the new blog platform I am still working to develop, as the means to engage with whoever wishes to join in. Won’t you consider joining me and growing together with Christ? Come.