In his Gospel account regarding Jesus, the disciple John, tells the story of John, the Baptizer, standing with two of his disciples when Jesus came walking by. John said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” (1:35-41).
Hearing this, the two disciples decided to follow this man and see for themselves if it was true what the Baptist was declaring about this man named Jesus. Going only a short distance, Jesus turns around and seeing them following asks, “What do you want?”
In asking these two men “What do you want?” Jesus was asking the most fundamental question in life.
A question we should be frequently asking of ourselves, especially at the beginning of a new year. What do I want to accomplish this year? What are my goals? What are my plans in seeking to achieve what I want from life? Is the desire to know God better and be in a more intimate relationship with him a priority on my want list?”
The two disciples respectfully answered with their own question, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” In other words, “Where are you making your home in the world?”
This suggests they were curious and wanted to know more about this “Lamb of God.” And possibly were hoping for some “alone time” with him so they could ask questions and see for themselves what the Baptist was seeing in this man named Jesus. They wanted to know for themselves whether or not he was truly “the Lamb of God?”
But maybe they, like many of us, did not know what they wanted or what they were looking for. Maybe they were afraid or ashamed to state what they really were hoping for, that is, a comfortable lifestyle, good health, much happiness along the way, and financial security in our elderly years.
Whatever thought these two men may have had that prompted their question, Jesus simply replied, “Come, and you will see” and took them to where he was staying. John, the disciple who wrote this gospel account, finishes the story with “So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him.” And, as it turned out, they stayed with him for the rest of their lives.
Don’t you, like me, wish that John would have recorded their conversation? What subjects did they talk about? What were their conclusions? We do not know, but we do know that John and Andrew’s life was forever changed that day, for they met and were convinced that he was indeed Jesus, the “Lamb of God” – the “Son of God” – the “Messiah (Christ).”
And so, the first thing Andrew did in the morning was to find his brother, and with great excitement tell him, “We have found the Messiah. And he brought him to Jesus.”
This story introduces us to the larger story of Jesus’ ministry while on this earth. That bigger story teaches us that authentic disciples of Jesus are persons who want to stay with Jesus, wherever that stay may be and wherever it may take them.
Discovering who God is and experiencing the presence of Christ in your life is rarely experienced as a sudden blinding light or a burning bush. Enlarging your knowledge and soul, filling your spirit with the right spiritual nutrients of Godly wisdom, understanding, and purpose is a lifelong process of staying with Jesus.
It is more than just interesting to note that the Gospel accounts of Jesus portray him as a traveling man, always going somewhere. It underscores an important truth that staying with Jesus means daily traveling with Him to wherever He chooses to go. Where might he travel? Only He knows.
We know it will be to the temple to worship and to the mountain to pray, but He also will travel to painful places of human need and desolate places destruction, demons, and death. These places may be a natural disaster, a demonstration, or mission trip into unfriendly territory. Will we stay with Him there? He also may travel to a classroom, a workplace, a neighbor’s house, or a hospital. Will we stay with Him there?
The truth we need to consider is this; Jesus is always on the go, traveling to all and every living person and to every place and situation on earth. Are we prepared to stay with Him anywhere at any time? Can we join William O. Cushing in his commitment to “Follow On” as he penned it in 1878?
Down in the valley with my Savior I would go, Where the flowers are blooming and the sweet waters flow. Everywhere He leads me I would follow, follow on, Walking in His footsteps till the crown be won.
(Chorus) Follow, follow, I will follow Jesus. Anywhere, everywhere, I will follow on.
Follow, follow, I will follow Jesus. Everywhere He leads me I will follow on.
Down in the valley with my Savior I would go, Where the storms are sweeping and the dark waters
flow. With His hand to lead me I will never, never fear; Danger cannot fright me if my Lord is near.
Down in the valley or upon the mountain steep, Close beside my Savior would my soul ever keep.
He will lead me safely in the path that He has trod, Up to where they gather on the hills of God.
So, where will you be staying tonight?
<><><><><>
“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – January 12, 2022
Ray M. Geigley
Healing Rays of Righteousness 
Leave a comment