John 1:38 --- Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”
After praying this morning, we started back on the path in John chapter one but didn't make it very far. Yesterday we saw John the Baptist get excited and pointing to Jesus as He came walking along. Two of John's followers left him and go after Jesus.
What really jumped out in today's verse is when Jesus turns around to these two guys following Him. He doesn't throw open His arms and give them hugs. He doesn't slap them on the back and say, "Welcome to the kingdom.". He does something unexpected... He confronts them.
Both men had just walked out of their comfort zones, to go after the Messiah, the Savior, the Anointed One, the Lamb of God, and He turns and His first words are:
"What are you seeking?"
The word seeking in the Greek is zēteō and it means: to seek in order to find, to seek a thing.
So, Jesus doesn't clap, shout hallelujah, then turn back around and just walk away. He confronts them and challenges them right from the start to stop and think about what it is they are looking to find. They'd obviously already found Him, so the question pushes deeper. Jesus is asking what you are seeking to find in following Him. It confronts your mind and your heart. It confronts your desires, your beliefs, and your thoughts.
As a Christian have you skipped over this confrontation in your own life? We usually never stop long enough to deeply reflect on what it is we're seeking or looking to find. In all our church going, our bible reading, our praying, our serving in the church, our praise and worship sessions, what is it we're seeking?
Many times, the answer to that could easily be a selfish one. Seeking to find something in return, something for ourselves. Many seek Jesus just to be healed, just to be blessed, just to fit in the group, etc… In the Gospels we see over and over the crowds seeking miracles from Jesus, but not seeking Jesus. They didn't want Him, they wanted what they could get from Him. Even a large group of his disciples (not the twelve) left Him when the truth and teaching got tough. You can read about it in John 6:60-69. You clearly see the difference in disciples following for reasons of their own and Peter who wanted to be with Jesus.
Christian, what is it you are looking to find in following Jesus?
I pray you have the courage to stop and deeply reflect on this question. To be real and honest with yourself. God already knows the answer, so this is about being honest with yourself.
As always don't take my word on things, be the Berean and get into your Bible and read yourself! See what it says there. Pray and ask the Lord to show you directly from His living Word today!
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