Come and See
Who Is Jesus?
On this day
John 1:14
John 1:14 (NIV)The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Read online
Read the saved passage · John 1
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Look at the text
What did the Word become, and what did the people who saw him say he was full of?
Add a note
Need a nudge?
Try asking yourself
Read the verse once more. The Word became what?
Who saw him, and what did they say he was full of?
One way someone answered
The Word became flesh, a human being. The people who saw him said he was full of grace and truth.
Opening thought
Come and see
You may have heard Jesus described as a good teacher, a prophet, or a kind man killed unfairly. You may also have heard his name used in anger. If you are unsure what to believe, you can begin with that uncertainty.
When Nathanael heard about Jesus, he doubted that anything good could come from Jesus’ hometown. His friend Philip invited him: “Come and see.” This study offers the same starting point. Read each passage, answer the questions, then compare your observations with the explanation.
Read it together
Read the saved passage · John 3
1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.
2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’
8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things?
Nicodemus was a respected religious teacher. He came to Jesus at night, and he came with questions. Read the conversation slowly. Then answer the questions below from what you see in the text, not from what you have heard about it.
If you are studying with someone
• Let the person you are studying with ask anything. You do not need an answer to every question today. “I don’t know, let’s find out” is a good answer.
• When you reach “Only way to God,” go slowly. Many people have parents, friends, or neighbors of other faiths. Say plainly what Jesus said, and speak about other people with respect.
• If the person you are studying with is Jewish, remember that Philip and Nathanael were Jewish, and so were Jesus and all his first followers. Listen before you explain. Your friend may hear today’s claim against a long history of Christians pressuring Jewish people, and that history is worth acknowledging honestly.
• A memory aid many churches use: W.O.W.: Wholly God, Only way to God, Word made flesh.
Go deeper
John 2:13–17; John 6:35; John 8:12; Hebrews 4:15–16; Acts 4:12.
Look for yourself
The passages named in the questions open from the rows above, or from your own Bible.
Why do you think Nicodemus came at night? What does he say he already knows about Jesus (verse 2)?
Add a note
What does Jesus say a person must do to see God’s kingdom (verse 3)? How does Nicodemus react (verses 4 and 9)?
Add a note
Jesus does not send Nicodemus away for asking. What does that tell you about bringing your own questions to him?
Add a note
Go back to today’s verse, John 1:14. If the Word is God and became flesh, who would that make Jesus? What would it mean for you if it is true?
Add a note
Need a nudge?
Try asking yourself
Read John 3:1–10 once more, slowly. Underline every question Nicodemus asks.
Verse 2 tells you what he already believed. Verse 3 tells you what Jesus said he still needed.
For the last question, try finishing this sentence: “If Jesus is God come close, then…”
One way someone answered
I think he came at night because he had a reputation to protect. He already called Jesus a teacher from God, but Jesus said that was not enough: he had to be born again. He did not understand, and Jesus kept talking to him anyway. If the Word really became flesh, then Jesus is not a messenger. He is God here in person, and I would have to take what he says seriously.
Check what you found
Use W.O.W. to review the passages. Read each verse and compare it with what you found.
W — Wholly God. Read Hebrews 1:3. What does it say the Son is? If that is true, then when you look at Jesus you are seeing God, not a copy of him or a part of him.
O — Only way to God? Read John 14:6 and Acts 4:12. What does Jesus say about himself, and what does Peter say about his name? Many people you love may not share this claim. Face it because Jesus said it about himself, not because anyone told you to.
W — Word made flesh. Read Hebrews 4:15–16. God did not stay far away and send instructions. The Word became a human being who got hungry and tired and was tempted, yet did not sin. What does the writer say we can do because of that?
If you want the fuller explanation
Wholly God. Jesus is not part of God or a copy of God. Hebrews says the Son is the shining of God’s glory and the exact likeness of who God is (Hebrews 1:3). When you look at Jesus, you are seeing God.
Only way to God. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Peter said the same thing later: there is no other name by which people can be saved (Acts 4:12). This is a hard claim, and many people you love may not share it. It still has to be faced, because Jesus said it about himself.
Word made flesh. God did not stay far away and send instructions. The Word became a human being and lived among us (John 1:14). He got hungry and tired. He was tempted in every way we are, yet he never sinned, so he understands what you are carrying (Hebrews 4:15–16).
Talk it over
Who have you been told Jesus is, and who do you think he is?
Need a nudge?
Try asking yourself
Who told you about Jesus first, and what did they say he was?
Which word fits what you believe today: teacher, prophet, good man, God, not sure?
What would have to be true for you to trust him?
One way someone answered
I was told he was a good teacher who was killed unfairly. If I am honest, I have never looked for myself. Today's verse says he is God who came close. I am not sure yet, but I want to find out.
For groups
What did you find in John 3 that you did not expect?
Add a note
Day Anchor
One question
Who have you been told Jesus is, and who do you think he is?
One action
Read John 1 and write one question you would ask Jesus. Bring it to your next conversation. If you need more time, read the chapter in sections.
Add a note
Need a nudge?
Try asking yourself
Read John 1 in one sitting if you can. The question you write does not need to be clever. Write the one you actually have.
One prayer
Jesus, if you are who John says you are, show me. I want to see for myself. Help me be honest about what I believe and what I still question.
Tomorrow: can God really speak to you, and how would you know?