John 1:35-39 What do you want? Part II

³⁵ The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. ³⁶ When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
³⁷ When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. ³⁸ Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”
They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”
³⁹ “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”
So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

Yesterday we studied this passage and noted that Jesus asked the two disciples of John the Baptist, "What do you want?" (Or in some translations, "What do you seek?")  They answered with another question -- "Where are you staying?"  In essence, they wanted to know where He would be, for they wanted to be with Him, near Him.

We also noted that it is possible to have peace; it is possible to have a relationship with Christ, to fill that "hole" inside us, that we are longing to fill. We can have these things right now! If we are new Christians or mature Christians, we can look at the way Jesus answered: "Come and see."

Very simple. Very to the point.
Come and see.
Notice what He did not say . . . He didn't say, "start being a better person." He didn't say, "Come to church every Sunday."  He didn't say, "Study the Bible and understand it all, first."  He didn't even say, "Stop doing this, or that."

All He said was, "Come and see."  It was an invitation to them, and it is an invitation to us: to have a relationship with your creator. It's an invitation to life, and that more abundant!

It will not be life as we have always known it, but it will be life as God intended it to be. You see, God is good, and His plans for us are good.

“I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

And the Psalmist says:

Oh taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man that trusts in Him!
Oh, fear the Lord you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him.
The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. (Psalm 34:8-10)

This invitation from Christ is simple -- we come with an open heart and we will see Him. We will know Him.

“Come, all who are thirsty, come to the waters.” (Isaiah 55:1)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matt. 11:28-30)

The two disciples accepted this invitation. They gave up everything after that, and followed Him.

As Christians, we need to respond daily to the invitation -- receiving God's love and mercy each day, and living in Him.

Let's listen, and respond to that still, small voice that says, "Come and see."