Have you ever been looking for something but just couldn’t find it? One night I was awakened by the sound of Martha looking for something in the room. I didn’t realize that she was sleepwalking…. I got fed up and loudly said, “What on earth are you looking for?” She replied, “I don’t know, but I’m sure its around here somewhere.”

Jesus asked Andrew and (probably) Phillip, “What are you looking for?” (Jn 1:38 NRSV). One thing that distinguishes John’s Gospel is its vivid pictures of Jesus relating to individual people—people like us. These first four disciples of Jesus (in John’s gospel) are people like us, and they are all looking for something….

Andrew is a fisherman—the younger brother of Peter. He is often called the “usher” because he brings people to Jesus. I envision an optimistic younger man who is ever ready to help. As the younger brother, he is more disposed to leave off the “chores” of fishing and wander off to see what all the commotion is about—there is a fellow down by the river named John who has everyone talking….

Phillip is probably the person mentioned in John’s gospel with Andrew. We don’t know his occupation, but his name means “lover of horses.” He is one of the youngest of the disciples. I believe he grew up in a liberal family—his name is Greek even though he is a Jew. He is someone who is not afraid to speak his mind. John’s gospel recounts how Phillip tells Jesus to quit with all the cryptic talk and, “…just show us the Father and that will be enough!” I envision a man who wants to make something better of the world….

These two approach Jesus and are surprised by the question, “What are you looking for?” They had no idea how to put into words what they wanted to know. They can only ask, “Where are you staying?” I’m sure there is some theological significance to their response, but I have not figured it out. Jesus replies, “Come and see.”

Something happens in that afternoon they spent with Jesus. Whatever it was they were looking for, they come to believe that they have found the Messiah—the Christ! There must have been great hope—great power….

Andrew goes to Peter—one of the oldest of the disciples. As the older brother he is more occupied with the task at hand—fishing. He is more responsible and focused. In Peter I see a gruff man with all the traits of a tough guy. John’s gospel tells us quite a bit about Peter--he wore a sword and wasn’t afraid to use it, he had a temper, he bragged, and he cursed…. What was he looking for?—a good catch of fish….

I doubt if he ever thought his little brother would do anything but waste time better spent mending nets. But, when Andrew comes with the excitement, “We have found the Messiah!” he just has to see…. Jesus tells Peter simply that he will be called “the rock.” Peter is not convinced about Jesus yet, but he will be when Jesus brings him that catch of fish he is looking for (Luke 5:1-11).

And there is Nathaniel (Bartholomew)—another young man. He had no pretentious airs about him—what you see is what you get. I don’t think Nate had any real ambition in life…. Not that he was lazy—I think he was simply disillusioned…. As a young man, he was naturally an idealist, yet the world was anything but ideal…. If you were to ask him, he would probably tell you he wasn’t looking for anything. He was skeptical/cynical. When Phillip came with the news about Jesus, Nate asked, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Yet, when he meets Jesus, he comes on fire with enthusiasm.

In the case of Nathaniel, you may be thinking this seems a little far-fetched…. I like to think I am a little like Nate. I was quite cynical, and had pretty much given up on the world and on life as hopeless—I was in what I call “escape mode” trying whatever escape from reality I could find. My friends, Harlan and Randy were going to join the Marine Corps, and they kept hounding me to go to the recruiter with them. Finally I told them, “OK, I’ll go this once, but you have to promise not to ever talk to me about it again.” After a few minutes in that recruiter’s office I was shouting UGRAAAH! And saying, “sign me up!” …One thing about a cynic. If you can ever just spark that old idealism in them they are like dynamite!

John’s gospel is about real people and Jesus…. People haven’t changed all that much over the years and neither has Jesus. “What are you looking for?” I like the King James Version, “What seek ye?” We are all seekers, looking for something. As a child I was just looking for Christmas/birthdays; as a teen it was summer vacation I was looking for; after I joined the Marines I was just looking for the day I’d get out; it became graduation from college, getting married, the birth of my children; now it is seeing them grown….

What are you looking for? Some are idealists wanting to make the world better. “Come and see.”

What are you looking for? Some are cynical—an idealist who has been crushed one too many times. “Come and see.”

What are you looking for? Some are simply unhappy and want something better than fishing all day everyday. “Come and see.”

What are you looking for? Some are focused on the task at hand. A good catch of fish will do. “Come and see.”

What are you looking for? Some are a bit confused, like Martha sleepwalking. We don’t know exactly what we are looking for, but it must be around here somewhere. “Come and see.”

COME. Make an effort. Both desire and action are required. You have to want God’s answer before God will give it. Desire an answer, desire healing, desire peace, desire fulfillment, desire hope for a future. Next, and this is important, trust/believe that Jesus can help you find what you are looking for! Then act. Read your Bible, or devotional literature, pray to God, and then listen!

SEE. Experience the risen Jesus! Transform the desire of your heart to a desire for God—for Jesus. See what it is to know God!

But we protest, “I don’t care as much about knowing God! I want that which I seek! The preacher has become irrelevant again—pie in the sky stuff….”

We just don’t know how much we are like the sleepwalker…. We are seeking something. We know just what it is, but we are really not sure what it is. We are sure it is around us somewhere, but we don’t know where it is.

When God grows to be our greatest desire, God will come—we will see. All else will melt away.

What are you looking for? Come and see.

Lent begins the second week in February. This Lenten season we will have a series of seeker sessions—people bent on finding God…. More on this is coming, stay tuned….