When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “WHAT DO YOU WANT?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” “Come,“ he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour. (John 1:37-39)
Jesus came to this planet for a very specific reason: to save our souls. The disciples were told that he was the Lamb of God. In John 1:29 John the Baptist yells, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the World!” Andrew and another man then followed Jesus, and Jesus turned and asked them “WHAT DO YOU WANT?” They then responded by asking Jesus where he was staying. I don’t believe that was really what they wanted to know. They really wanted to know more about the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the World. They did go to where Jesus was staying and spent the day with him. What do you think they talked about with Jesus? I bet they talked about many things, but you can bet that Jesus talked about why he had come to earth and what God his Father’s plan was for him and for them. We go on to see that they later committed their lives to Jesus and followed him. Why would anyone give up their life and commit to follow Jesus wholeheartedly? The only reason I can think of is because they had come to believe that Jesus was the Son of God and was going to die on cross to take away their sins. When people come to church and hear a message from God’s word, we need to be like Jesus and ask them “WHAT DO YOU WANT?” Too often after someone hears a message from God’s word at church, or bible talk or any of a number of situations, they will talk about everything from where are you staying to what is your favorite sports team. We as disciples need to get to the heart of the matter and try to help people know that the hope of having their sins taken away is still available to anyone who is willing to follow Jesus as a sold out disciple.
Mark 10:26-30 says, “The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “WHO THEN CAN BE SAVED?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Peter said to him, “WE HAVE LEFT EVERYTHING TO FOLLOW YOU!” I tell you the truth, “Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.” WHAT DO YOU WANT? I think everyone wants to know “Who then can be saved?” Peter tells Jesus that he and others had left everything to follow Jesus. I think Peter told Jesus that they left everything because he wanted to hear how Jesus would respond to what he did. PETER WANTED TO KNOW IF HE WAS GOING TO BE SAVED BY LEAVING EVERYTHING FOR JESUS. Jesus told him he would receive eternal life and other rewards for following Jesus. But he would also have to endure persecutions. Are you living your whole life for Jesus? As disciples, we should examine ourselves regularly to make sure we are in the faith. (more…)
