This past Sunday we looked at the story in John 1:29-42 in which John the Baptist points two of his disciples in the direction of Jesus. When Jesus notices them following, he asks, “What are you looking for?” To which they respond with another question, “Where are you staying?” Jesus tells them to “Come and see.”
Pastor Alka delivered a powerful sermon on what it would mean for us to also say “come and see.” To invite others to Broadway because it is a place that is safe and welcoming. But I want to take a closer look at Jesus’ first question. This is the first time we see Jesus speaking in the Gospel of John, and it’s a question. A question he might be asking all of us when we start our faith journey and each and every day after that. “What are you looking for?” Another translation asks, “What are you seeking?” or “What do you need?”
This isn’t just a surface level question. Although I may want a sandwich right now because I’m hungry, that’s not what this question is asking. What are you seeking in your own life? What are we seeking together as a congregation, as a community? Maybe as a church we are seeking growth. As an individual you may be seeking peace and calm, or you may be seeking guidance or direction. There are many things we may be looking for, and it’s probably not just one thing.
I would invite you today or sometime this week to make time for stillness and quiet to think about this question: “What are you seeking?” Sit with it. Sit with yourself and with God. And if you’re a verbal processor, take time with a trusted friend to talk about what came up for you. Once we know what we’re seeking, we can work to come up with a plan of action to get that peace, growth, or whatever God is placing on your heart.
