What Do You Want?

Wouldn’t our lives be infinitely better if we began every relationship with the question “What do you want?” Those are Jesus’ first words in the Gospel of John.
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.” John 1

I guess I expected that my research on the words of Jesus would begin with some great truth about Him. Instead, it begins with me. What do I want? It’s really the right place to start. Dissatisfaction with the church, or Jesus, or Christians is really based on failed expectations. Lots of folks seem not to be getting what they want and what they have come to expect from Jesus.

I know my own expectations have been vague and inconsistent. Sometimes I want Him to save me, from the ravages of sin or just from the messes I’ve gotten myself into, or just from those who seem bent on ruining my life. Sometimes I want a healing. Sometimes I want some shiny new toy. Lately I want Him to fix my country, kill the terrorists and some other things I’m reluctant to articulate.

It’s interesting that John didn’t give his disciples a pile of theology, passionate argument, or enticing motivation. He just said, “Look, the Lamb of God.” That’s a powerful and  simple evangelism method, no towering temples, flashy preachers, hell and brimstone sermons. Just the facts. “Look, the Lamb of God.”

Jesus’ call was just as simple, “What do you want?” The disciples of John responded by calling Jesus, “Teacher” and asking where He was staying. That said a lot. In the first century, “followers” joined a teacher or Rabbi and stayed with Him. Soaking up His knowledge. The disciples who had been primed by the teachings of John the Baptist were saying. “We want to follow you. We want everything you have to offer.”

Jesus said, “Come and you will see.” The followers, over the next three years, got an eye full. They saw miracles, growing crowds, a shaken establishment, love, fear, hate, death and resurrection. They saw the Spirit fall and cowardly kittens become courageous cats. They saw the world change forever.

When it’s all stripped down to “truth” isn’t that what I want? To follow the Lamb and see what happens?

Agree with this, or better yet disagree? I love to speak to small groups about the things I post. I can talk to your entire church or small group, your breakfast or supper club (do we still have those?).  No charge of course, except the one I get out of doing it. However, if food is involved I will stay later. Email me, I dare you.