What Are You Looking For?

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour. Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. (John 1:35-42)

Well here we are again, back into the Christmas season. If you haven’t hit the malls yet, chances are you soon will. Searching for that perfect gift for your loved ones will quickly become the all consuming passion of your life. Most stores are already full to overflowing. Most credit cards have already reached their melting point. Most checking accounts have already reached their vanishing point. Most moms have already reached their boiling point. And we are only just starting into December! Isn’t the Christmas season just so wonderful?

The good news is that no matter what you are searching for this Christmas, you are likely to find it. Whether on the internet or at the malls if you search hard enough, and your wallet is fat enough, you will likely find what you are looking for. The most difficult problem I have every year when I go shopping is that I often don’t know what I’m looking for. Have you ever had the experience of wondering from store to store hoping that something will jump out at you for that special someone? I can think of few things that are more frustrating than jostling through a packed mall during Christmas season and not really know what you are looking for.

“What you are looking for?” That’s the question Jesus poses to the first two disciples in the passage above. The day after Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, John (the apostle) and Andrew began to follow him. After noticing them, Jesus turns to engage them in conversation. It might seem a strange way to begin a conversation. No introductions. No conversation about the weather. No ice breaker at all. Just, “What do you seek?” Jesus doesn’t ask the question for his own benefit. He is omniscient and he knows why they are there. He asks it for their benefit. He wants them to examine their motives for wanting to follow him. If they were looking for a revolutionary leader who would throw off the yoke of Rome and liberate the Jews, then they were following the wrong man. If they were looking for one who would carry on the traditions of dead religion, then they were following the wrong man. If, however, they were looking for a new life - for eternal life – for forgiveness of sin - for salvation and hope for the future, - if they were looking for the Messiah, the King of all kings - then they were following the right one. He asks, “What are you looking for?”

Their answer indicates they really didn’t have an agenda of their own. They’d seen something in Jesus that intrigued them, but the matter wasn’t quite settled in their minds yet. They respond to Jesus’ question with one of their own, “Teacher, can you tell us where you are going?” They were asking more than just, “Where are you going to spend the night?” In essence what they were saying was, “We’d like to follow you.” They wanted to know more about Jesus and ask him some questions. They wanted to get to know him and spend time with him. They might not have known specifically what they were searching for, but they had a good idea they would find it in Jesus.

Jesus immediately extends the invitation for them to “come and see.” He was saying, “If you will follow me, you will find what you are looking for.” Where there is a willingness to follow, God extends the invitation to come. One of the most amazing truths in Scripture is that God extends an invitation to lost, confused people to come. He wants lost people to know who he is and what he can do for them. He wants us to know that what he offers can’t be found on the shelves of any store. The toys the world offers might sparkle and glimmer for a season. But they soon wear out and break and leave us more disappointed than when we first began. The invitation is come and see for yourself – experience what a difference Christ can make in your life.

The disciples accepted his invitation and what a difference it made in their lives. The passage tells us, “The first thing Andrew did was find his brother Simon and tell him.” Catch this: first they sought him – then they shared what they knew about him; “We have found what we were looking for! – We have found Jesus! – Our Messiah!” They couldn’t contain their joy or keep it to themselves. The old cliché is true; “The gospel is one hungry beggar telling another where they can find bread.” Once you find him, you’ve got to tell others.

What are you looking for this Christmas? Is it worthwhile? Will it last? Whatever you are looking for – you are likely to find. I pray that above everything else – you search and find a closer walk with Jesus.

In Joy,
PT