What Do We Seek Jesus For?

“The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.” (John 1: 35-39, ESV)

In our early days and months of dating, Sam and I attended a Christian conference in Orlando, Florida. The group we went with had attended in years past and gushed about the “impartation of the Holy Spirit” and the depth of the spiritual encounters they all had in the past with such a host of well-known speakers and church organizations that would come together to put on this event.

Over the course of four days, however, it became clear to us that all the hype was just that… hype. Each speaker in the lineup boasted of their works and the accomplishments of their ministries. They spoke of healing and impartation of spiritual gifts and delivering from addictions. 

But at the end of the trip, the takeaway for the two of us was an overwhelming sense of feeling like the gospel was never preached. Were works boasted? Yes. Were stories of Holy Spirit “gifts” told and recounted and puffed up? Yes. But was the gospel ever preached? Was Jesus ever put on display and beheld and responded to? That wasn’t something we were sure of.

Which begged the question, what was being sought? For all those people rushing up to the altar, what did they desire? Jesus, unadulterated, undiluted, and simply for His person and His message? Or to receive gifts so they could also have a cool story to tell at home? 

That’s not entirely for me to judge, but I know what my spirit discerned off of what I saw and the lessons I came home with. 

So in light of this, let us ask ourselves the same question that Jesus asked of those first disciples He called: What are we seeking?

In today’s verses, Jesus passes John the Baptist and some of his followers. John again announces Jesus as the Lamb of God. Some of John’s disciples in earshot then begin to follow Jesus as He travels along. 

Jesus addresses them and asks them what they are seeking. A poignant question, all things considered. Jesus is at the start of His ministry. He’s been newly baptized, tempted in the wilderness, and confirmed as the Lamb of God by John, thus fulfilling John’s ministry.

This was at the beginning of the crowds. The signs and wonders. The healings. The miracles and the wonders of God Himself. So what did these followers seek? What did they want? Did they want accolades? Did they want bragging rights to being a part of Jesus’ entourage? Did they want to be wielders of their own signs and wonders? Did they want to be a part of history, with their names enshrined in accounts of what was to come? 

Did they want to test whether or not this was actually the Lamb of God? Did they want to get a sign themselves? Did they want Jesus’ healing power? An impartation of His power? Recognition? Answers to a question? To sate their curiosity?

Or did they want to know Jesus? Did they follow Him to see for themselves the man that John proclaimed as the Lamb of God?

The interesting thing about this– and something we can take away for ourselves– is that these followers were to become a part of Jesus’ twelve disciples. They ultimately leave John the Baptist’s ministry to join Jesus in His. They didn’t rely on John to facilitate their understanding of who Jesus was. They weren’t content with allowing John to fill in the blanks for them and receive second-hand information.

They followed Jesus so they could know Him for themselves. They call Him Rabbi– Teacher. They weren’t counting on John to tell them who Jesus was. They wanted to know Him personally; to become a part of His own inner circle. They wanted to walk with Him, sit under His teaching, break bread with Him and experience Him. 

They sought Jesus, the man, the Son of God, the real deal. 

It’s the same for us today: What are we seeking? When we approach God, what are we searching for? Are we looking for a cool story or some gift of the Holy Spirit that makes us more impressive or seem holier? Are we approaching the Lord with an outstretched hand looking for a fulfilled need or healing? Are we searching for some sort of blessing or impartation for selfish gain? 

Or are we seeking Him? Are we looking to know Him personally and walk by a faith that is built on being near Him? Are we uncontent with simply taking someone else’s word for it and knowing Jesus by proxy through a parent, pastor, friend, or spouse… or are we searching for Him in His Word and asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to us the living, breathing reality of who Jesus is from a first-hand revelation? 

Are we content to only know Jesus by what others say about Him, or are we intent on leaving our comfort zone and daily routine in order to pick up our cross and following Him for ourselves? 

We need to search Jesus out in that way, friends. This question the Lord is asking about what we are seeking– We need to check our hearts today and make sure we’re not following Him for what He can give us or provide to us. We need to make sure that our commitment to following Jesus is in the name of knowing Him, serving Him, and glorifying Him. 

To that, Jesus’ response is, “Come and see.” And that is a greater gift than any spiritual gift you could petition the Holy Spirit for. Because what is any gift without knowing the Savior we lay our gifts down before? What is a blessing without knowing the One who pardons and redeems and loves more fiercely than any other? 

Take some time today and ask yourself: Why am I following Christ? What am I seeking Him for today, and what are my motives for drawing near to Him? My prayer is that whatever you find in your heart, the Lord will help you realign your priorities so that you can truly come and see Him for who He is, not who you think He should be or anything someone else has led you to believe He is. I pray that what you seek is Him, and the more you seek, the more you will find.