Andrea Steinkamp: "Come and See" (Sermon from January 18, 2026)

He said to them, "Come and see.” — John 1:39

Friends,

In this week’s gospel text, Jesus encounters a couple of strangers. They’ve been hearing the chatter—about Jesus, about who people think he is—and they’re curious.

Noticing that curiosity, Jesus extends a simple invitation: “Come and see.”

He doesn’t tell them what they’re supposed to think or believe. He doesn’t try to persuade or control.

Come and see, he says.

It’s as if he’s whispering, I trust you—and you can trust yourselves.

This invitation is a marked departure from the rhetoric of empire, which demands compliance, obedience, and conformity, and so often denies the divine wisdom—the image of God—already alive within each of us.

We’ll explore this invitation to discipleship together later this morning.

Come and see.

Peace and love,
Pastor Andrea