37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 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 1:37-39 (NKJV)
Discussion Question:
- What do you seek?
Comments:
Once the two disciples met the Lamb of God they did the natural thing, they followed Him. They did not wait until it was convenient for them. They did not look around to see who was watching. They did not let their hang ups prevent them from following the Son of God. Then Jesus speaks.
The first words of Jesus recorded in John's Gospel is a question, and what an important question it is. "What do you seek," He asked, not because He did not know (He knows all things) but because He wanted them to contemplate the answer. Their response is a little puzzling on the surface but a little digging and placing in context sheds some light. The response, "Rabbi (Teacher), where are You staying," is more than them asking where His house is. They are courteously asking for some extended private teaching time and acknowledging their willingness to become permanent disciples. The lesson for us is plain: after our decision to follow Jesus, our next response is to search the ways of God, to learn as much about Him as we can. And if we come with a prepared heart, honestly seeking Him, He will respond to us the same way He responded to Andrew and John, "Come and see," He'll say. This is an invitation "to come and gain from Him an insight into the mind and purpose of God Himself" (quote from Tasker, The Gospel According to St. John). Quite amazing if you think about it.
Another thing to notice from this passage is the comment on the time, "now it was about the tenth hour." This is evidence that the other disciple with Andrew is John. How else would the author know this kind of detail?
1 comment:
I can"t help but to think of all the parallels of the old and new testaments. Or the prophecys of the old that come true in the new. We have mentioned some in class. This made me look at 2 Samuel 17:3 which says"...the death of the man you seek will mean the return of all." this of course is in the old testament. Now todays scripture is from the new testament. Here Jesus says "what do you seek?" To me, Andrew and John are seeking to know the man in 2 Samuel 17:3.
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