29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” 37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” 39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. 40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter). 43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. (John 1:29-46, New International Version)
Theme: Discipleship
Context:
Thank you very much for your comments yesterday! You highlighted the pivotal role John the Baptist played in the discipleship process. He delivered a trinitarian gospel message and some of his disciples believed and acted on their belief by pursuing Jesus. Today we shift our focus to the interaction between Jesus and two of these disciples (Andrew and an unnamed disciple). These two disciples attempt to follow Jesus and are questioned by Jesus about their intentions. The disciples respond to Jesus with a question (“where are you staying?”) and Jesus responds with an invitation (“come and see”), which is later repeated in the passage. This exchange between Jesus and the disciples contains insights for us as we consider discipleship.
Bible Study Passage:
Our Scripture passage is again presented above. Today, pay particular attention to verses 37 – 39.
Questions:
In relating to the disciples, what do you believe is the significance of Jesus doing the following:
- Asking the disciples, “what do you want?”
- Inviting the disciples to “come and see.”
Sharing your thoughts could be a big help to someone else. Please leave a comment on the blog.
February 15, 2024 at 5:20 am
In other translations, verse 38 says “What do you seek?” Or “What ye seek?” I believe Jesus wants to find out what are the disciples searching for and what are their intentions. It is important to ask questions and gain an understanding of a person’s desires in our efforts to share the Gospel. Thereafter, we can extend the invitation as Jesus is showing us in verse 39.
February 15, 2024 at 6:58 am
Brother James Devers. Excellent comment. The ultimate goal is to obtain the heart of Christ with the help of the Holy Spirit. Christ put the needs of others before his own personal agenda. Jesus was about His Father’s business (God). Consequently Jesus had disciples who desired to follow him and spread the Gospel throughout the world.🌎
Have a Blessed day 🙏
February 15, 2024 at 7:20 am
Because the disciples weren’t familiar with Jesus they were probably acting awkward and this was Jesus’s way of bringing them into his presence by asking what they needed putting them at ease, could be similar to what we’d say today “how can I help you”.. He invited them to come and see that he didn’t have any worldly possessions as in Matt 8:20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” meaning if they followed him they too wouldn’t be gaining any earthly riches.
February 15, 2024 at 7:43 am
Jesus asking what do you want is a question that he keeps asking to many of his children up to now. I guess that question is a key to one’s salvation. Jesus sees our hearts and the answer to that question would reveal the desire of the heart. This way Jesus would know how to penetrate the heart whether it’s longing for help or overflowing with love and praises for God.
February 15, 2024 at 7:59 am
My initial reaction to Jesus Is question of “what do you want?”, was that it seemed like an odd question. but as I think about it more, it seems reasonable. If I were to follow someone it would be because I have a desired outcome – satisfy my curiosity about them see where they’re going see their actions or know them. The title they used for Jesus in answering his question with a question, gives some insight , think, into what they wanted. They called Him Rabbi, which the passage says means teacher. So maybe they simply wanted to learn from Him, which would lead to also knowing Him. So Jesus invites them to do just that with, come and see.
February 15, 2024 at 8:33 am
It would appear that Jesus was providing them an opportunity to truly evaluate if being one of His followers is truly what they wanted to do. He was encouraging them to see where and how He lived and count the cost of “joining” His cause before they made the commitment to do so.
February 15, 2024 at 9:39 am
Their response would let Jesus know what they are thinking, and what their intentions are.
The disciples follow Jesus when he said, “Come and see”. This shows a certain amount of faith. They believed John, in the first place, and when Jesus didn’t actually tell them where He was going, but told them to come and see, they just went. The passage doesn’t mention them questioning Jesus to get more information. They just faithfully followed Jesus.