What Seek Ye? Series

Questions From The Book Of John (Part 2)

Mount Vernon Church

03/23/03

What Seek Ye?

John 1:35-39)

35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;

36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. KJV

Introduction: We see in our text that Christ is beginning His ministry. John and his disciples are standing around one day and John looks and sees Jesus coming down the road. Upon noticing that it is Jesus who is coming, he makes a declaration to those who are with him. John says, “Behold the Lamb of God!” Once again John takes the focus off him and places it on Jesus. He wanted to loose his disciples. Many today want to gain disciples, but John knew who they should follow.

In John’s declaration he points everyone to the Lamb. You see the Jews knew what John was referring to. They knew through the Old Testament scripture and through their religious practice the importance of the Lamb. They knew that the priest had to offer a lamb for a sacrifice to atone for their sins.

Upon hearing John’s declaration our text tells us that there where two who followed after Christ. Notice that they didn’t holler at or yell at Jesus but just followed behind Him. Jesus knowing everything turns and asks them a very simple question, “What seek ye?” This is one of two questions that were asked that we want to focus on this morning. The second question, “Where dwellest thou,” was asked in response to the Lord’s question.

Jesus was not asking in a harsh manner or trying to intimidate them. I believe that he asked them in a very tender way. He was giving them an invitation to enter into dialogue. The NIV puts it this way.

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?"

Lets’ look at these two questions and see what we can learn and how we can make application to our lives.

What do we want from Jesus today? What are we seeking? How would we answer Jesus if we were the two that were following Him? What motivates us to follow Jesus? What are we seeking?

1.)Do We Seek Illumination?

a.)Illuminated to our sin.

b.)Illuminated to our situation.

c.)Illuminated to our sincerity.

2.)Do We Seek Justification?

a.)Justified by faith.

b.)Justified by favor.

c.)Justified by the Father.

2.)Do We Seek Education?

a.) Educated on how we are to walk.

b.) Educated on His word.

c.) Educated on how we are to worship.

3.)Do We Seek Sanctification?

a.) Set apart to serve.

b.) Set apart to share.

c.) Set apart to send.

Why did these two men follow Jesus? Were they……..

1.)Following Out of Curiosity?

2.)Following Out of Comfort?

3.)Following Out of Conditions?

4.)Following Out of Convictions?

Jesus by asking them to come and see was an invitation for them to follow. They were willing to take this adventure. There desire for him was greater than there desire for comfort.

These men were following because of their desire to follow Jesus. You see these men didn’t want to just meet Him, they just didn’t want to talk to him, but they wanted a relationship with Him. They wanted to spend time with Him. How do we know? Look in verse 39. “He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.” The tenth hour using the Jewish time it would have been four o’clock in the afternoon and stayed all night.

Conclusion: Jesus offers the same invitation to us to day and that is to, "Come and see." I would encourage everyone here this morning to try Jesus. John 4:29

29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: