Sermon Title: "What Are You Seeking?"

When we open the Gospels, we might expect the first recorded words of Jesus to be something bold and unmistakable—a declaration of who He is, a call to repentance, or a command to follow.

Instead, in the Gospel of John, Jesus begins with a question. “What are you seeking?” (John 1:38)

Not "Who are you?"

Not "Do you believe in Me?"

Not "Are you ready to follow Me?"

Just a simple, searching question that reaches deeper than theology and goes straight to the heart.

And it’s not only a question for two disciples walking behind Him that day.

It’s a question for all of us—here, now, today.

Everyone Is Seeking Something

John tells us that two of John the Baptist’s disciples heard him say, “Behold, the Lamb of God,” and they followed Jesus (John 1:35–37).

Why did they follow Him?

Because they were seeking something.

So are we.

Whether we realize it or not, every human heart is in pursuit of something—success, security, peace, identity, love, meaning, belonging, purpose.

Even in a beautiful and historic country like Italy, I have felt that there are questions that everyone has bubbling beneath the surface:

"Is this all there is?"

"Am I on the right path?"

"Does my life really matter?"

Into that longing, Jesus asks:

“What are you seeking?”

He doesn’t ask to expose us or embarrass us—but to invite us.

To help us slow down long enough to be honest with our own hearts.

Because what we seek shapes who we are becoming.

When We Don’t Know What to Ask

When Jesus turns and asks the question, the disciples respond somewhat awkwardly:

“Rabbi… where are you staying?” (John 1:38)

It’s probably not what they meant to ask.

What they were really longing for sounded more like:

"Can we be near You?"

"Can You teach us?"

"Can You help us make sense of our lives?"

But they didn’t yet have the words.

Many people feel the same way today.

They sense something missing, but they can’t name it.

They’re unsure how to approach God—or if they even should.

Jesus doesn’t dismiss their question.

He doesn’t correct them or demand clarity.

Instead, He offers one of the most gracious invitations in all of Scripture:

“Come and see.” (John 1:39)

An Invitation Into Relationship

“Come and see” is not a lecture.

It’s not a debate.

It’s not a list of rules.

It’s an invitation into relationship.

Notice what happens next:

They follow Jesus.

Jesus turns and notices them.

He speaks to their desire.

He invites them to be with Him.

They spend the day together.

And nothing is ever the same.

This is the heart of the Christian life.

Not performance.

Not ritual.

Not having all the right answers.

But walking with Jesus.

Being known by Him.

Learning who He truly is.

The Question Still Stands

If Jesus were to stand before you today and ask,

“What are you seeking?”

How would you answer?

Comfort?

Control?

Approval?

Stability?

Healing?

Forgiveness?

Purpose?

Or maybe you’re not sure at all.

Maybe your honest response would be:

“Lord, I don’t fully know… I just want to be where You are.”

To that, Jesus still says:

"Come and see."

Come see My heart.

Come see My mercy.

Come see My truth.

Come see who I am.

A Word for Believers

Even those who follow Jesus need to hear this question again and again.

What are you seeking now?

What shapes your decisions?

What occupies your thoughts?

Where do you look for your worth?

Jesus’ question gently cuts through our busyness, our routines, even our ministry—not to condemn us, but to draw us back to Himself.

A Word for the Curious or the Skeptic

If you’re not sure what you believe, Jesus is not asking for perfect faith.

He asks for honesty.

"What are you seeking?"

And then He invites you—not to figure everything out—but to walk with Him, listen to Him, and see for yourself.

The One We’ve Been Looking For

By the end of the passage and:

After staying with Him for the day

After observing and testing

Andrew runs to his brother Simon and says:

“We have found the Messiah.” (John 1:41)

Every longing for peace.

Every desire to be known.

Every search for meaning.

Every quiet hope for something more.

All of it finds its fulfillment in Him.

So Jesus still asks.

And He still invites.

“What are you seeking?”

“Come and see.”