Key Verse: “The next day, John was standing with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this and followed Jesus. 38 When Jesus turned and noticed them following him, he asked them, “What are you looking for?” (John 1:35-37a)
What are you looking for? This is the question that Jesus posed to the two disciples who were following Him down the road. Up until this point, they had been disciples of John the Baptist. But when John pointed to Jesus as He was passing by and declared, “Look, the Lamb of God!” the men turned and followed Jesus. As Jesus noticed that they were now following Him instead of John, He asked them, “What are you looking for?”
Their answer is interesting. “They said to him, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” (v.37b). Evidently, whatever these men were looking for from Jesus, they were planning on sticking around with Him, and wanted to know where He was heading next. “Come and you’ll see,” Jesus replied. So they went and stayed with Him for the day.
Put yourself in the shoes of these two men. If were walking down the road and Jesus were to turn to you and ask the question, “What are you looking for?” how would you respond? What is it that you are seeking from Jesus?
Often times, it is outward circumstances that cause us to stop and look toward Jesus – an unexpected health diagnosis, a financial crisis, or a breakdown in a relationship. Sometimes the driving force is something that is happening within – a crisis of belief, a sense of purposelessness, or a lack of joy or peace in our lives. All of these are real and legitimate reasons for why we may turn and look to Jesus.
In Mark chapter 2, four men carried their friend who was paralyzed and brought him to where Jesus was. What were they looking for? They wanted Jesus to physically heal him, and believed that He had the power to do so. “Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven”” (Mark 2:5), and then He healed the man of his paralysis. In this man’s case, there was an immediate need that they were seeking to be met by Jesus. But in the end, he also had a much more important and deeper need met. He encountered the spiritual healing power of Jesus.
Whatever it is that you are looking for from Jesus, He wants to meet you where you are at. Jesus is the only place to find true peace, joy, purpose and freedom. But in the end, what Jesus wants to give you is ultimately Himself. It is about more of His presence in your life each and every day through the Holy Spirit.
“Who do I have in heaven but you?” the Psalmist wrote, “And I desire nothing on earth but you. My heart and my flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever” (Psalm 73:25-26). What are you looking for today? What are you seeking from Jesus? Look to Him for more of His presence in your life. Make Him your portion today.
Prayer: Jesus, I want more of you in my life today. Everything else that I look to will fall short compared to you. Help me today, by the Holy Spirit, to turn my eyes to you alone. May you be my vision and portion forever. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
