“Again the next day John was standing there with two of his disciples. Gazing at Jesus as he walked by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’ When John’s two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.
“Jesus turned around and saw them following and said to them, ‘What do you want?’ So they said to him, ‘Rabbi (which is translated Teacher), where are you staying?’
“Jesus answered, ‘Come and you will see.’ So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day.” —John 1:35–39
Here we have John the Baptist standing among two of his own disciples as he takes note of Jesus passing by. John, with his intense, steadfast focus on Christ, announces to his hearers: “Look, the Lamb of God!” The wording here depicts the fullness of God’s perfect timing through the actions of John and Jesus—John standing as Jesus passes by.
I am reminded of the command given in Hebrews calling each one of us to this same steadfast focus on Christ:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up.” —Hebrews 12:1–3
Notice the two disciples turn from following John to following Jesus. How natural that must have seemed for them as John’s teaching to his disciples was the basis for their conduct. John’s mantra was, “He must become greater; I must become less.” His disciples were eager to follow Jesus.
Observe how Jesus takes notice of the two followers: “What do you want?” Jesus is always aware of a soul’s motion toward Him. He is constantly asking us to look into our own hearts. Jesus is always asking questions: What do you want? What is it that you desire—a Teacher, a Ruler, a Lord? What are your intentions—your motives—behind your movement to follow Him? These disciples coming to Jesus were desirous to be His students. The wording used here depicts their eagerness to be better acquainted with Him, believers, accepting His instruction, making that instruction their rule of conduct. He says to them: “Come”—inviting them to come without delay. And just as He opened blind Bartimaeus’ eyes, He opened their eyes to see. Jesus is always willing to open the of those who come diligently seeking Him. There is never a better time than now to come to Jesus.
Become More
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.” —Matthew 11:28–30
Come to Jesus and follow Him!
Further Reflections
Some come only to Christ to have all their problems fixed, desirous of a rose-colored life with no rain clouds in sight. Others may come to Him overwhelmed in the fervor of emotion, moved perhaps by songs or sermons or sayings. Yet others follow Him to go deeper. Since it is only through Him that we are justified before God, we must come to Him in humility with the realization of our need, seeking His favor and eternal life.