Friday, May 11, 2012
John 1:38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, "What do you seek?"
IN HIM WAS LIFE: HE DESIRES TO GIVE
It is almost certainly John himself who followed and heard this question and answered, "Teacher, where are you staying?" One has to wonder what John was thinking 60 years later when he writes about that day. He certainly seems to remember it quite vividly. What was it that John was seeking? Was it faith and the words of the Baptist that moved him? Was it curiosity? Was he desperately searching for some answer, some meaning to his life? Was he looking for glory or seeking to associate with great men? Certainly he did not come seeking the life which 60 years later he found himself in.
But it doesn't matter why he came. What matters is what he found: Life.
As a foreign missionary I often have reason to question the motivation of those who come asking for teaching. Some come seeking money. Some come to hear the "white man." Some come out of pride. What they have in common, even what they have in common with John, is that they listen. They stay the day with Jesus and hear what He has to give. What we all find there is far more than any of us ever come looking for.
There is a trend in many churches to preach to "felt needs." When we limit ourselves in this way, when we give people what they come looking for, we are cutting Christ short. Christ wants us to have so much more. He wants us to have Life.
