John 1:35-39 What do you want?

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.

Ever since mankind (or womankind) was created, there has been a pursuit of fulfillment and purpose. We may not realize it, but we all live our lives in search of meaning.

I'd like to focus on the question that Jesus asked the two disciples of John the Baptist -- "What do you want?" 
What are you seeking?
What are you looking for?
What is that one thing that would make you feel whole?

When we are young:
“If I was better at sports . . .”
“If I could just get into that college that I wanted to go to, then . . .”
“When I get out of my parents house, then. . .”
“. . . My life would have more meaning.”

Then, when we are older:
“If only I could get that job that I want, then . . .”
“When I get that promotion and start making more money, then . . .”
“When I get married . . .”
“When I buy my own house . . .”
“ . . . Then my life would be better, then it would have more meaning.”

Oy. Do you think we've missed the boat here?

You see, we can train to be better athletes, we can get into that super college, we can move out on our own, we can get that job, that promotion, that spouse, that house . . . and still something is missing.

Statistics say that there are millions of people today searching for meaning in their lives. And many of those have not yet found the answer, and are suffering from depression.

It's been said that there is a God-shaped whole in every person. That the relationship with our Father is what keeps us searching, and then fulfills that need. 

Jesus asked them, "What are you seeking? What do you want?"  Their answer? "Where are you staying?"  In other words, where are you going to be, for I want to be with you. I want to be near you. 
We were made for a relationship with God, and our hearts will be restless until we find that relationship. Look at this from Psalm 84:

My soul yearns, even faints,
    for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out    for the living God.  Psalm 84:2

And here is the response of the living God:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28

Have you experienced the rest that is found in Christ Jesus?  Our souls can have the peace that only He gives. Our lives can overflow with mercy and love.

Tomorrow we will look at what Jesus answered.