Words: Jesus' inviting words

John 1:35-39

"The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, 'Look, the lamb of God!' 

When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, 'What do you want?' 

They said, 'Rabbi' (which means Teacher), 'Where are you staying?' 'Come,' he replied, 'and you will see.'" 

First, a declaration by John the Baptist. John, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, carrying out the good works God had prepared for him to do (Eph 2). John who spent his days declaring that the kingdom of God was near, and that the Messiah would soon enter on to the scene. His life was a pouring out of himself as he lifted high the name of God, as he lifted high and exalted the kingdom of God in the face of religious hypocrite, and in the face of those who were sheep without a shepherd. The heavenly anger, and compassion, he must have felt. And to declare..."Look! The lamb of God!" The Messiah! Jesus! His disciples went. They left John. They went to follow, to seek. They declared intention as they asked where he was staying. Jesus simply replied, "Come." This simple conversation. These simple words. This is where it is at.

"Jesus! Where are you? Where are you going? What are you doing?" These are simple questions. Sometimes we seek because we are hungry and thirsty for more than this life has to offer. Sometimes we ask because we are hurt and we want more. Sometimes we ask because we are motivated out of love and we want to walk in obedience.

Sometimes we ask and then we stop listening. Sometimes we ask and we don't like what we hear.

Jesus always responds..."Come, and you will see." He gets our attention. He asks us to continue listening. He invites us to join Him. So, are you listening as someone standing on the outside of the crowd? Are you listening for the moments that interest you? Are you listening and not participating? Or are you listening intently at His feet, with your shoes on, ready to move when He moves? These words are simple, and invite us to come along.

Words

On my mind lately...words. The world is filled with all kinds of words. Written words, spoken words. Words that hold great value, meaning, purpose, promise; and words that are like garbage, or are like fluff that blow away and aren't worth anything, or are empty. I'm making plans to look carefully at the words uttered by the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of the Bible. Just this morning I spent time looking at Genesis 17, where God initiates a covenant with Abraham. His spoken words are quoted. I believe this event took place thousands of years ago, and that by the divine hand of God those words were recorded and exist still today. I believe that the words spoken, the covenant established, was spoken by a God who does not throw around His words carelessly, but purposefully places them down in time and space with great meaning and value. I want for this part of God's character to have impact on my life. Anyone want to join the conversation? I'd love to have the thoughts of others as I launch into this study!