Come and See Where Jesus Stays

Jesus asks only one question in John’s Gospel before He invites anyone to follow, and it is not “Are you ready?” or “Have you cleaned up your life?” It is, “What do you want?”

Here is the scene. John the Baptist has just pointed at Jesus and said, “Look, the Lamb of God”. Two of John’s disciples hear it and start walking after Jesus. Jesus turns, sees them trailing behind, and does not scold them for following too close, He speaks first: “What do you want?”

Their answer sounds a little awkward: “Rabbi, where are You staying?” They are not ready with a big speech, they just want to be where He is, and Jesus says, “Come and see”.

Notice what He offers. He does not hand them a pamphlet or an argument, He offers Himself, an open door and an afternoon. John even remembers the hour, “about the tenth hour”, which is around four in the afternoon. Some memories stay sharp because their lives changed in there. These men spent the rest of that day with Jesus, and one of them, Andrew, would soon run to find his brother Simon.

Maybe you have kept God at a polite distance. You believe in Him, but you have been following behind, not sure you are allowed to come closer. Or maybe you are new to all this, and you have honest questions you are afraid to ask. Jesus is not bothered by either, He turns around, He sees you, and asks what you want. Then He says what He said to them: come and see.

Faith often starts that simply. You walk toward Him with what little you know, and He shows you more.

Here is one step for today: set aside ten quiet minutes, open to this passage, and tell Jesus honestly what you want from Him. Then stay a while.

Lord Jesus, You turned and saw me before I ever found You. Here is what I really want today. I come to be with You, so show me more of who You are. Amen.