John 1:35-42

 ³⁵ The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. ³⁶ When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

³⁷ When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. ³⁸ Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

³⁹ “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

⁴⁰ Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. ⁴¹ The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). ⁴² And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

In Pursuit of…

Every day, millions of people set out in search of something more—new experiences, greater opportunities, or a better life. Some leave their home countries in hopes of finding safer communities, better living conditions, or greater freedom. Business owners explore new markets, driven by the desire to expand and prosper. Employees pursue promotions or seek new careers that offer higher salaries and financial security. Students dedicate themselves to long hours of study, believing that academic success will open doors to promising, well-paying jobs after graduation.

Underlying many of these pursuits are questions like: What’s in it for me? What can I gain? How will this benefit me? These are not selfish questions; they reflect a common drive to find purpose and reward in daily effort. For many, life’s journey is guided by the hope that hard work will lead to meaningful success, stability, and the fulfillment of long-held dreams.

As followers of Christ, it’s important that we understand why we choose to follow Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Christianity is not simply about belonging to a denomination; it’s about having a personal relationship with Christ and living out His purpose for our lives.

Have you ever invited someone by saying, “Come visit us at TMEC sometime!” and received a response like, “I’m a Methodist,” “I’m a Pentecostal,” or “I’m a Catholic”? When that happens, don’t be discouraged. Instead, pray for that person. Perhaps they identify with a denomination but have yet to fully grasp the deeper reason for their faith.

Labels alone don’t define our walk with God. What matters most is knowing Christ, understanding His Word, and living according to His will. Let us gently lead others not just to a church building, but to a genuine encounter with Jesus—the heart of true Christianity.

Jesus warmly welcomes all who come to Him, and we are invited to do the same.

1.  JESUS WELCOMES US

³⁵ The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. ³⁶ When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

³⁷ When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. ³⁸ Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

³⁹ “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

Two of John the Baptist’s disciples had been faithfully listening to his teaching. They weren’t just hearing his words—they were understanding and internalizing the message. John’s entire ministry had been about preparing the way for someone greater. So when he saw Jesus walking by and declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God,” his disciples recognized the significance of that moment.

They didn’t hesitate or stay behind out of loyalty to John. Instead, they responded to the truth they had received. They left John and began to follow Jesus, showing that true discipleship always leads us to the person of Christ.

Like Andrew and the other disciple, let us follow Jesus Christ because Jesus wants to have fellowship with us.

We live in a world that often says, “Keep your distance.” They say the internet was meant to connect the world, but in many ways, it has only deepened our divisions. With everyone freely sharing their opinions, disagreements often escalate quickly. Words are thrown out without much thought for their consequences or how they might affect those who read them. The result? A world more reactive, more fragmented.

It’s easy to find videos of people avoiding interaction with strangers—proof of growing social caution. Yet, contrast that with clips of older generations warmly welcoming conversation from passersby. It’s a striking reminder of how modern society has grown more wary of the risks strangers might pose.

People are cautious, guarded, and slow to trust. But Jesus turns that around. His first recorded words in the Gospel of John are a question, but not a harsh one. It’s an invitation: “What are you seeking?”

When the two disciples began following Jesus in John 1, He turned around and asked them a simple yet profound question: “What do you want?” This wasn’t just small talk; it was an invitation. Jesus wanted them to express their desire, to voice what was stirring in their hearts. That same question still echoes today. When we follow Jesus, He wants us to be honest with Him about what we’re seeking.

Jesus knows the difference between those who are truly following Him and those who are simply following a pastor, a leader, or a religious routine. He sees the heart. He’s not looking for surface-level devotion or borrowed faith. He wants a personal relationship. And just like with those first disciples, He invites us to speak, to share, to open up.

As we walk with Jesus and begin to express our hopes, fears, questions, and longings, something beautiful happens: we discover that He actually wants fellowship with us. He desires our presence. He’s not a distant Savior but a relational one—ready to listen, ready to respond.

No matter who you are, [your background, your past, your status in life], Jesus does not turn you away. His welcome is open to all. He doesn’t require perfection; He simply desires a willing heart. When we come to Him sincerely, He meets us with grace.

So, what do you want from Jesus? Don’t be afraid to tell Him. He’s listening, not to judge, but to draw you closer. He welcomes your honesty, your vulnerability, and your desire for more of Him. Because in that honest exchange, true fellowship begins, and in that fellowship, our lives are changed.

Jesus wants to have fellowship with us and he also wants to show himself to us.

In verse 39 Jesus said to the disciples, ³⁹ “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. 

Jesus extended a personal and open invitation to the disciples—not just to follow Him, but to truly know Him. When they asked where He was staying, He didn’t hesitate. He welcomed them in and spent the day with them. These are words of welcome. Jesus opens the door to his life, to his presence, to his heart.

And this is the same Jesus who welcomes us. We don’t have to have it all figured out. These men didn’t fully understand who Jesus was but he welcomed them anyway.

Today, many of us hesitate to draw near to others out of fear of being a burden or feeling like we’re intruding. Sadly, we carry this same mindset into our relationship with Jesus. We rush through prayer, neglect our Bibles, arrive late to worship, or leave as soon as the service ends.

Deep down, we may feel like spending too much time with Jesus is inconvenient—either for Him or for us. But Jesus is never burdened by our presence. He longs for it. He welcomes us in and invites us to stay. The question is: are we willing to accept His invitation?

Jesus welcomes the curious, the confused, the hurting, and the hopeful. If you’re looking for truth, direction, or meaning, he says to you, “Come and see.”

2.  Jesus Wants to Show Himself to Us

⁴⁰ Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. ⁴¹ The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). ⁴² And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

When the two disciples of John the Baptist follow Jesus and spend time with him, their lives begin to change. One of those men, Andrew, can’t keep it to himself. He goes and finds his brother Simon and tells him,

“We have found the Messiah.”

And then Andrew brings Simon to Jesus.

Family Friends

When my father was actively ministering to others, he often spent long hours with two church members who, at the time, were distant in their relationship with the Lord. Week after week, he would visit their home and sit with them late into the night—talking about life, struggles, hopes, and dreams. These late-night visits became routine. As a child, I looked forward to them, not for the deep conversations, but because we got to play with their kids, who had video games and toys we didn’t have at home. Best of all, we got to stay up past our usual bedtime.

Whenever those church members called our house, my mom and siblings would jokingly say, “Dad, your sweethearts are looking for you,” teasing him about how much time he devoted to them. But my dad’s investment wasn’t in vain. When our family eventually moved to China to serve as missionaries, those very same church members continued to grow in their faith and went on to take meaningful leadership roles in the church.

I was too young at the time to fully grasp the transformation my dad often spoke about. But I remember when they once visited The Maples Evangelical Church while we still had our house on Pacific Avenue. My mom told me that even though they were only guests, as people began to go through the foyer doors into the sanctuary, they made the effort to greet people, introduce themselves, and start conversations—something even regular members, including myself, often hesitated to do.

That memory stuck with me. It showed me that spiritual growth is often seen in small, intentional acts like reaching out, making others feel welcome, and living with genuine love. Their story reminded me that real discipleship takes time, but its fruit is unmistakable: lives changed by presence, patience, and the persistent love of Christ shared through one willing servant.

Now watch what Jesus does next: in verse 42 He looks at Simon and says, ⁴²“You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas (which means Peter).”

Jesus not only receives Simon—he redefines him.

He gives him a new name, a new identity, a new future. Why?

Because Jesus doesn’t just want to meet us; he wants to show us who he is, and in doing so, show us who we truly are.

Jesus wants us to spend time with Him because He cherishes to have fellowship with us. He wants us to know Him well.

The more we spend time with Jesus through reading of the Bible, praying, or joining worship services… the more we know that Jesus is worth all our time.

Friends may betray us.. Friends may forget us.. Friends may not listen to our problems…Friends may not understand us…

With Jesus, we have a faithful friend!

Let us turn our eyes and attention to Jesus and experience more of His care and love for us.

Jesus begins with a question: “What are you seeking?”

And he responds with an invitation: “Come and see.”

If you’re seeking peace, hope, purpose, or truth, the answer is not a formula. It’s from someone. It’s from Jesus.

He welcomes you.

And he wants to show himself to you.

So let’s respond like the disciples who followed him—let’s go with him. Let’s stay with him.

Let’s invite others to meet him too.

><((‘> .. ><((‘> … ><(((“> tmec\lmms <“)))>< … <‘))>< .. <‘))><