John 1:38-39 (NIV)
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.”
“Jesus turns and asks, ‘What do you want?’ (literally ‘What are you seeking?’). Again there is far more meaning than appears on the surface… and it always demands a thoughtful response regarding the deep desires that drive the individual. In a real sense he is demanding, ‘What do you really want out of life?’
Their response, ‘Rabbi, where are you staying?’ seems evasive at first glance. On the earthly level, they seem to say only ‘Where are you lodging?’ But the term menō (‘staying’) is a major concept in John and implies a desire to ‘dwell’ or ‘remain’… At the deeper level, they are expressing a desire to follow Jesus and ‘remain’ with him.
Jesus’ response in 1:39a, ‘Come and you will see,’ is then an invitation to salvation. Philip uses these exact words in 1:46 to invite Nathanael to become a follower of Jesus. Both terms are used in John to depict a faith-decision… The clear implication is that these two followers of John had been searching for what Jesus was now offering them.” (Grant Osborne, John: Verse by Verse)
Prayer: God, we want you. And in all the areas of our lives where that is less true, overcome us in those places with your great love and great power. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Let’s worship to the song, “Mighty to Save” by Hillsong (click here).
– AK
