John 1:35-42

35 The next day, John was standing with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this and followed Jesus. 38 When Jesus turned and noticed them following him, he asked them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” 39 “Come and you’ll see,” he replied. So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. 40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed him. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated “the Christ”), 42 and he brought Simon to Jesus. When Jesus saw him, he said, “You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated “Peter”).

For the adults:

Our heart is like an unfinished puzzle,

that is why we search for the perfect one to complete it.

-Unknown

In the late 80s, the band U2 topped the charts with a song that speaks of the uncertainty of one’s life journey and their looking in, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” The lyrics speak of a life of climbing the highest mountains, running through the fields, scaling these city walls, and a lot more, “only to be with you.” The song walks us through one’s life, while at the same time indicating that there must be something more than the path that we are on. Ultimately, we cannot find satisfaction in this world. Fulfillment must come from something else, or perhaps from Someone else.

We could imagine, this is the song the disciples may have been singing, as they were looking and longing for something they could not seem to find. In fact, we do not get an answer to Jesus’ question from the disciples, maybe because they don’t even have an idea of what they are looking for. So they look for a teacher, hoping that if they stick by His side, they will find the answer.

“Come and See” Jesus says to the disciples. Instead of asking them to sit down and listen or giving them a lengthy reading assignment, He invites them into a relational and hands on way of engaging the world.

Jesus is inviting these first followers, and He is inviting us. It is a lifestyle that echoes throughout John’s gospel, for believers to discover firsthand the signs that demonstrate Jesus is the Christ.

When we take the time to seek God’s presence, to immerse ourselves in God’s Word, we cannot help but to be changed. God is working within us, within our community, and within our world. And when we submit, we will be transformed. We will experience the revelation of Jesus as the Messiah.

John’s gospel invites us to take part in this beautiful journey, looking together. Perhaps the question to us now is more than “what are you looking for?”, it’s “what are you waiting for?” Come, and see.

For the children:

Jesus is calling you to come and see.

Is the journey you are on being led by Jesus?

Are you listening to the Rabbi, and learning from Him?

Who are you taking to the Messiah?

Read and meditate:

John 1:35-42

Pray:

Lord I know this pandemic has been hard on so many people, and so many people are looking for something. Let introduce You to those who are looking.

I pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ my Savior

Amen.

About the author:

Jose Aguilar Jr. is an Associate Pastor at FBC Weslaco and has served in this capacity for the last 11 years. He and his wife Blanca have served faithfully at FBC Weslaco since 2001. They are the proud grandparents of Lilyana Faythe and Trinidad Esperanza Aguilar.