LEARNING DAILY

John 1:37-39, The two disciples heard Him speak, and they followed Jesus. 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?” 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).

The two disciples mentioned are Andrew and, most likely John, the writer of the gospel. When Jesus was identified by John the Baptist, the two disciples began to follow Jesus. When He turned to them, He asked a really important question, “What do you seek?” I wonder if this is not the same question, He asks of everyone who claims to be seeking Him – “What is it you are really looking for?” Would you agree that what a person is really seeking or wants will affect what you are willing to believe? Do you believe that the Christmas celebration is only a day or two off from work and about presents or do you believe that it is the time of celebration of the Son of God who came to set people free from sin and death?

“Come and see.” The same statement Philip replied to Nathaniel as was discussed in the last page of the blog. Jesus was saying to the two, come with Me, spend time with Me; and they did. John writes that they remained with Jesus the rest of the day. The question Jesus asked them when they came to Him is a question for those who are truly seeking to know Jesus and walk with Him on the narrow way. When Believers seek Him, He reveals Himself to them through His Word, helping them to become more and more like Him. It is a matter of desiring to spend time with Him!

When calling other disciples, He said to “Follow Me”! This statement seems to follow “Come and see.”  This Christmas season the shepherds, and the wise men went to Bethlehem to see the newborn King of the Jews. We have seen the challenge to “Come and see.” The next step is the choice to follow Him.  What does it mean to follow Jesus? Jesus answered the question Himself in Matthew 10:34-39. Please read it for yourself. Here is a quick reference to what He said. He did not come to bring peace on earth, but a sword. One who follows Him cannot love a member of their family more than Him. One who follows Him must take up his cross and follow Him. He who loves his life will lose it and the one who loses his life for Jesus will find it. David Jeremiah said, “Christ ultimately came to earth to bring peace, but when people choose to follow Jesus, they will often face division and conflict, even within their own households. To choose loyalty to family over loyalty to Christ disqualifies a person from being one of His disciples.”

Sounds quite harsh, doesn’t it! Jesus never “sugar-coated” the truth and following Him often means making tough choices. To truly follow Him means Jesus has to become everything to the believer. One cannot follow Jesus half-way. It means striving to be like Him in every way; it means to make Him Lord of every aspect of your life! It means to walk in obedience, walking with Him on the narrow way into His kingdom; it is seeking to please Him at all times because of the grace He has given to you.

Can’t do it on your own? You are right! Because the Father knew that, He sent the Holy Spirit to help us apply the truth of His Word and glorify Him in everything we do.

“Come and see.” Psalm 34 :8 states, “Taste [come] and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the Man who trusts in Him!”  This is an invitation to draw close to the Lord, to experience His love, and to know how good He is! When you do, I pray that like John and Andrew, you “Follow Him” from then on!