SCRIPTURE

Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” John 1:38

OBSERVATION

John the Baptist had two of his disciples with him.  As Jesus walked by, John the Baptist declared Jesus as “the Lamb of God!” .  It was at this time that the two disciples left John the Baptist and proceeded to follow Jesus.  Jesus then turned to them and asked “What do you seek?”.

This is a valid question for many of us today.  What are we truly seeking from God? What are our motives for following Him?  Jesus knew that people would come to Him for many different reasons.  Some people would seek healing, forgiveness, peace, eternal life, riches, perhaps even superiority amongst many other things.

Nevertheless, the disciples tell us exactly what they were seeking.

They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?” John 1:38

The disciples were simply seeking to be with Jesus and spend time with Him.

APPLICATION

I need to evaluate my motives for seeking Jesus.  What am I truly seeking?  Am I seeking selfish gain?  Has following Jesus become another routine activity because it’s what our family does and has done for years?

I need to spend time with Jesus simply because He is Jesus. I need to get to know who He is.  Personally, I think one of the highest forms of compliment you can bestow on anyone is an active desire to spend time with them without seeking any additional profit other than the blessings you receive from their character, wisdom and spiritual understanding. Following that would be a desire to model their behavior in thoughts and actions. To me it means that you simply love them for WHO they are, not for what they can do for you.

PRAYER

Dear God

Thank you for being an Almighty God.  Thank you for sending Jesus so that we can know You.  My prayer is that you will help each and every one of us to desire to spend time with You simply on the basis of who You are and not for what You can do for us.  The blessing of eternal life is not about living for ever in paradise, but living for ever with You.  Please help us to prioritize our lives so that we can put You first in all the things we do.

In Jesus’ Name

Amen