“38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, ‘What do you seek?’ They said to Him, ‘Rabbi’ (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), where are You staying?’ 39 He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).” John 1:38-39
There is a transfer of focus now in Chapter 1 of John from John the Baptist to Jesus. In the preceding verses (John 1:24-34), John the Baptist was the first witness of who Jesus is. John pointed others to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; the Pre-existent One; the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit; and as the Son of God. John identified himself as a voice to prepare the way for Jesus.
John the Baptist humbly points “two of his disciples” to Jesus, “the Lamb of God” (John 1:35-36). So John’s two disciples “followed Jesus” or go along with Him (John 1:37). This means nothing more than they are accompanying the Lord. “Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, ‘What do you seek?’ ” (John 1:38a).
Jesus may be asking us right now, “What do you seek” in life? Attention…fulfillment…love… recognition… safety… security… soothing… relationships… money… a job… fame… healing? What is it you are seeking at this time? Are you seeking Jesus? Only Jesus can meet our deepest needs. Only Jesus can give us the acceptance… attention… fulfillment… love… safety… security… soothing… healing… and forgiveness that we crave.
Jesus was who John’s disciples were seeking. “38 They said to Him, ‘Rabbi’ (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), ‘where are You staying?’ 39 He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour)” (John 1:38b-39). Christ invited these seekers to “Come and see.” And He does the same with us.
The words “staying” and “remained” come from the Greek word menō, which John uses forty times in his gospel to describe close fellowship with Christ. It means “to stay, remain, abide” or literally “to make one’s home at.” We need to constantly make our home in Jesus’ presence. Where we make our home is where we spend our time. We must make the effort to reside in the truth of the Bible about Jesus and His love for us.
How at home with Jesus are we? Are there certain areas of our lives where Jesus is not welcome? Or are we cultivating a closer relationship with Him by spending time with Him in prayer, the study of His Word, and hanging out with other Christians? Are we inviting Jesus into the secret areas of our hearts where no one else is allowed? Areas of darkness and wounds? Areas of fear and shame? Jesus is gracious and merciful. He wants to bring healing and hope to these forbidden compartments in our lives.
COVID-19 has greatly simplified our lifestyles. Perhaps now is the time to carve out an hour or two to be alone with the Lord. When we spend time with Jesus, our lives will never be the same. He can cleanse us of the shameful secrets that we have hidden for decades. He can restore hope to our lives as He brings healing to the areas of our brokenness and wounds.
When we grow closer to Jesus, His heart for the lost will become ours. We will begin to see those who need to hear the gospel the same way that Jesus does – as someone worth dying for.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are my greatest need. I seek You, Lord, in the midst of these changing times. You are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. What would You say to me now? I am listening. In Jesus’ name. Amen.