“What are you seeking?” (John 1:38, ESV)

The word translated “seeking” in the ESV is the Greek word zeteo, defined as “to seek, desire, require, question” (Young’s Concordance).

The background for this question takes place by the Jordan River.

A couple of guys were hanging with John the Baptist when Jesus walked by and John made a startling statement: “Behold, the Lamb of God!” (1:36), at which point two of them began to follow Him. Jesus turned and said, “What do you want?” (Ron’s paraphrase). “And they said to him, 'Rabbi’ (which means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, 'Come and you will see’” (John 1:38-39). One of the two was Andrew, who found Simon Peter, his brother, and brought him to Jesus.

The rest, shall we say, is history.

There are two things to be learned from this encounter. The first is to recognize that the “invitation” is to enter into a relationship. Jesus was the world’s most effective disciple-maker because He was relational with His disciples. They ate, slept, walked, and served loaves and fishes together. They sailed into the storm with Him. Jesus cared about their welfare, frequently taking them away from the crowds so they might rest.

“And He said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.‘ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.” (Mark 6:31)

Unless you live in a commune (there are a few still around), it is impossible to have that depth of intimacy, but that should not deter us from seeking to develop relationships with those we seek to disciple.

When Jesus exposed the emptiness of her soul, the Samaritan woman left the well and went into the city, saying, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did” (John 4:29). Her “come and see” invitation was to meet the only Man who can change a life: Jesus. The invitation to “come and see” is now ours to extend. All too often our invitation is to an event or to our church when we need to be inviting them into a relationship with us as we introduce them to King Jesus.

When I invite people to “come and see,” I am inviting them to see how Jesus changed my life and to walk with me as I model my walk with Him. I am not inviting them to a program. I am inviting them into a relationship where we walk through life together. The trials, the heartaches, the joys, and the adventures of living a life of faith are meant to be shared with others.

The second thing is that Jesus will accept all who come to Him. “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (John 6:37). That call is to a relationship, not a religious experience.

In Revelation, we see one final call being made.

’“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.‘ The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” (Revelation 22:16-17)

We are those who, having heard the invitation, are to go to others and say, “Come!”

What say ye, Man of Valor?
Semper Fidelis!