What do you want?

Jesus' question to the two men who were soon to be disciples seems harsh. What do you want? (from John 1:38). These two men were disciples of John the Baptist but began to follow Jesus. In seeing them leave John and begin to follow Him, Jesus sees that it is necessary to take stock of the commitment and cost they would incur. It appears to me that What do you want was a challenge to take careful look at their followship - do you really want to follow Me? Do you really know what you are getting into or, if not, are you really willing to face whatever we must face together? In summary, just how serious are you about this followship of Me.

This seems a timely question for Chirstians in our society - What do you want? Do you want a followship that is easy - show up on Sunday morning, sing and pray and listen to a little talk and go home having fullfilled your weekly commitment? That's a poor answer to Jesus' question to the disciples and to us today. Are you willing to give up something - actually be sacrificial - actually do without a "need" that is really a "want" or actually do without a need? If you make commitments to your church, are you serious enough to be keeping them? Is you word to God good - or is it, well. . .just church work. You said you would attend regularly - do you? You said you would give reguarly and generously - do you? You said you would be a vibrant part of a small group - are you? You said you would be involved in ministry with the church -are you?

What do you want? That is a question directed to you but today's church turns it around and timidly says to its people "are we meeting your needs?" "Is the music ok?" "Is the temperature alright for you". Serious about being committed to Christ? No - not in the least.

When Jesus told the two men to Come and see in verse 39 the very next action taken by the two disciples was So they went. Were they serious - yes. They received the call and they went. They were serious. In the next few verses, we see Andrew after his encounter. Verse 41 records these words "The first thing Andrew did . . . ". Was he serious - yes. He was so excited that he knew he must tell other.

How serious are you? A revealing test is how excellently you do the work to which God has called you. This weekend I was convicted that a certain commitment I had made was not being met - my work for Him was not serious. I committed to get back on track - we'll see.

Is there something in your life that is sloppy? Less than what you committed? If so, make your response to the Lord's leading "so I went" and your response to learning truth be to share this "the first thing".