How would you answer Jesus if He asked you what you want? Reading Andrew’s story in John 1:26-42 caused me to wonder how I’d respond.
Andrew Tells His Story
I looked where John pointed. He’d told us many times about the one who would come after him. He’d pointed him out to us yesterday, and now he pointed to him again.
Sometimes John spoke in riddles. But today when he said, “This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me,’” my heart burned. The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world; the long-awaited Messiah; the Eternal One, was passing by.
What should I do? I didn’t want to leave John, but I felt compelled to follow Jesus.
John seemed to read my thoughts. His eyes looked into mine. He jerked his beard toward Jesus, and I knew he was bidding me to go. I elbowed my buddy, and we took off.
Jesus heard us approaching and turned toward us. “What do you want?”
What did we want? To know Him? To see what He was like? But we didn’t voice that. Instead we said, “Teacher, where are you staying?”
Really? We’re meeting the Messiah and all we can come up with was, “Where are you staying?”
Jesus overlooked our bumbling and graciously replied, “Come, and see.”
We did. Jesus spent the whole day with us. Afterward, I couldn’t wait to bring my brother Simon to meet Jesus.
What Do You Want?
I wonder if Andrew and the other disciple were tongue-tied when Jesus turned to them. Or maybe they were showing polite interest like when we meet someone and ask where they’re from. Or, were they feeling Jesus out because they wanted time with Him?
I wonder how I would have answered Jesus. Would I say, “I want to spend time with You and know You better”? Verses that say God answers my prayers prompt me, like a child compiling a list for Christmas, to write down what I want from Jesus. But Andrew and his companion didn’t ask Jesus for anything. They wanted to know Him.
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matt. 5:6 NASB). He also said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (Jn. 6:35 NIV). Those who hunger for Jesus, who is our righteousness, experience contentment.
Have you considered how you would answer Jesus’ question?
What Do You Value?
I think our answer reveals our values. In a busy world that esteems doing over being I can keep an eye on the time when I read my Bible. But when I approach my Bible asking Him to speak to me and expecting to hear from Him, I’m less likely to watch the clock.
I like to feel productive. Yet, Jesus told achiever Martha that her sister Mary had made the best use of her time when she chose to be still at Jesus’ feet. In fact, what Mary had chosen would never be taken away from her (Luke 10:38-42).
Following Jesus includes times of doing. But productive doing begins with quietly being in His presence.
Productive doing begins with quietly being in His presence. #desires, #Faith Click To TweetWanting to know Jesus better, to be where He is, and to hang out with Him is something I can choose any time and any place. Even when I struggle with fatigue, even when there are projects to do, Jesus enjoys my company.
What do you think Jesus would do if this week you asked to know Him better? Are you willing to hang out with Him to find out?
If you live in me and what I say lives in you, then ask for anything you want, and it will be yours” (Jn. 15:7 GW).
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I love this Debbie. That is a beautiful question we should all answer. Your post today was a wonderful confirmation of my journaling yesterday. I had so many issues swirling around in my mind and as I sat down to talk and journal with the Lord – I told him I didn’t want to list all my concerns because He knew them all better than I do. I just wanted to sit with Him. And it was glorious!! He is enough.
Ann, that is beautiful! Thank you for sharing that wonderful testimony of His sufficiency. Bless you, my friend.
Sharing time with God draws me closer to Him in each moment. I can always tell when my thoughts have strayed from His presence. I am comforted by His peace when I share time with Him.
Melissa, you are so right. When we stray from practicing His presence we feel it. Thanks for adding your thoughts.
What a difficult question to consider Ms. Debbie. What would you say to the Creator of the universe, if you knew who He was? Given John the Baptist had described Him as the coming Messiah, I would like to think my first question would be a request. “Will you teach me Lord?” If I put my supposed logical mind, my carnal self into the equation, I think my question would have been more “How can you prove to me you are who you are claimed to be?” Knowing Him as we do now would be very different I think from meeting Him for the first time.
J. D. I think you’re right. I can only imagine what it would be like to have seen John point out Jesus after he’d been telling us He was coming.
What a thought-provoking question! What would I ask Him? Would I even be brave enough to ask anything?
I love your words…”productive doing begins with quietly being in His presence.” Beautifully said, Debbie, and such an important truth that can challenging to practice. I appreciate the reminder.
Peace and grace,
Tammy
Challenging for me as well, Tammy. Thanks so much.
Thank you for this blog. It’s the very topic that has been on my mind lately. ♥️
Wow! How cool is that?
I too love your words, ”productive doing begins with quietly being in His presence.” Thinking about the two disciples that followed Jesus, they just wanted to know Him. “The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” We have the same opportunity now, we just need to stop and quietly be with Him. He asked the disciples many years ago to “Come and ….see”, and they did. That still stands for today, God is saying come and see!
Thank you so much for this post! Such a great reminder of the opportunity we have to be intentionally in God’s presence!
You are a blessing to me! Thank you! ~ Nancy
Nancy, I’m so glad you enjoyed this too. It really spoke to me when I was reading John. Blessings to you.
We may not articulate it well, but I think all believers long for a closer relationship with Christ. And what better way to grow that than to spend time with Him. But of course that’s easier said than done.
I’m going to start praying to know Jesus better.
Thanks for the inspiring post.
I agree with you Candyce. And I love thinking of practicing His presence whereever I am.
I have felt Jesus ask me that before. In my journaling I try desperately to express the “want,” but it never seems to flow onto the page. It gets stuck somewhere between my heart and fingertips. I’m thankful He knows my heart, and thus my want.
Yes, I want to know more of Him, but sometimes the reality asks, “How am I living with what I already know?” It jolts me into realizing the answer to His question for me should be, “I want to live more for You, Lord. Show me how!”
June, I too am thankful the Holy Spirit interprets our prayers for us and reminds us of the things Jesus has told us. I need a lot of reminding!
That is such a powerful question. Thank you for sharing such a thought-provoking post.
Thank you, Joshua.