The First Disciples

John 1:35-39


Here we have the symbol of the divine initiative. it is always God who takes the first step. When the human mind begins to seek and the human heart begins to long. God comes to meet us far more than halfway. God does not leave us to search and search until we come to Him; God comes out to meet us.


Jesus began by asking these two men the most fundamental question in life: "What are you looking for?" It would be well if every now and again we were to ask ourselves: "What am I looking for? What's my aim and goal? What am I really trying to get out of this?"


Some are searching for security. They would like a position which is safe, money enough to meet the needs of life and to put some away for the time when work is done, a material security which will take away the essential worry about material things. This is not a wrong aim, but it is a low aim, and an inadequate thing to which to direct all life; for, in the last analysis, there is no safe security in the chances and the changes of this life.


Some are searching for what they would call a career, for power, prominence, prestige, for a place to fit the talents and the abilities they believe themselves to have, for an opportunity to do the work they believe themselves capable of doing. If this is directed by motives of personal ambition it can be a bad aim; if it is directed by motives of the service of our neighbors it can be a high aim. But i is not enough, for its horizon is limited by time and by the world. Some are searching for some kind of peace, for something to enable them to live at peace with themselves, and at peace with God, and at peace with others. This is the search for God; this aim only Jesus Christ can meet and supply.


The answer of John's disciples was that they wished to know where Jesus stayed. They wished to linger long with Him and talk out their problems and their troubles. Those who would be Jesus' disciples can never be satisfied with a passing word. They want to meet Jesus, not as an acquaintance in passing, but as a friend in their own homes.


~William Barclay~