What Do You Want? | The First Words of Jesus in John

In this devotional, Omar Calvillo from From Wrong to Strong Ministries reflects on the first recorded words of Jesus in the Gospel of John:

“What do you want?”
“What do you seek?” (John 1:38)

Before miracles, sermons, or commands, Jesus asks a heart-searching question that still confronts us today. Why are we following Him? What are we truly seeking?

Through John 1:38-43, this devotional explores how Jesus invites us into relationship before revealing the full journey. Many times we want clarity before surrender and answers before obedience, but Jesus simply says:

“Come and see.”
“Follow me.”

This message is a reminder that faith is often built one step at a time by walking with Jesus, trusting Him even when we cannot see the full picture.

Whether you are searching for peace, purpose, healing, direction, or a deeper relationship with God, this devotional will encourage you to seek not only answers from Jesus, but Jesus Himself.

Scripture References:
John 1:38-43

Transcript

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Hello family, this is Omar Calvillo with From Wrong to Strong Ministries, and welcome back to another devotional. Recently, as I was reading through the Gospel of John, these verses captured my attention in a fresh way. I've read this passage many times over the years, but this time the words of Jesus really settled deeply into my heart. What amazed me most is that the very first recorded words of Jesus in the Gospel of John are not a sermon, not a command, and not a miracle. It's a question. In John one, thirty-eight through thirty-nine, Jesus turns to the disciples following him and says, "What do you want?" Some translations word it, "What do you seek?" Think about that for a moment. The very first red letters spoken by Jesus in the Gospel of John are, What do you want?" That is powerful. Jesus turns to the two disciples following him and immediately asks them a heart-searching question: What do you want? What are you truly seeking? And the truth is, that question still confronts every one of us today. Why are we following Jesus? What are we really seeking? What is it that we truly want from Him? Some people want peace, some want purpose, some want healing, and some want answers. Some simply want relief from pain. But Jesus lovingly causes us to examine our motives before anything else. The disciples answer him, Rabbi, where are you staying?" In other words, we want to be with you. They were not just looking for information, they were longing for relationship. And Jesus responds with these beautiful words, Come and see." Notice what Jesus does not do. He does not explain the whole journey. He does not give them a roadmap. He does not tell them every detail about where following him will lead. Instead, he invites them into a walk of faith. Come and see." That is still how Jesus works today. Many times we want God to explain everything before we obey Him. We want clarity before surrender. We want the full plan before taking the first step. But Jesus often says, follow me first and I will show you along the way." A few verses later, Jesus says to Philip, "Follow me." John 1:43. Simple, direct, powerful. The disciples discovered who Jesus was by walking with Him. And many times that is exactly how faith works in our lives too. Not by having every answer up front, but by trusting Him one step at a time. Three things we learn from this passage. 1. Jesus questions our motives. What do you want? What do you seek? Jesus already knew the answer, but He wanted them to examine their hearts. Why are we following Him? For blessings? For comfort? For help in difficult times? Or because we genuinely want Him? Jesus still asks us today, "What do you want?" 2. Jesus invites us before He explains everything. Come and see. Jesus invites us into relationship before revelation. He often does not show us the entire picture at once because faith requires trust. God rarely gives us the full blueprint upfront. He gives enough light for the next step. 3. Following comes before understanding. Follow me. The disciples learn by walking with Jesus, and many times understanding comes after obedience. We often say, Lord, show me and then I'll follow." But Jesus says, "Follow me and I will show you." That is faith. The first words of Jesus in John are still speaking today. "What do you want?" And maybe the greatest response we can give is, Lord, we just want to be with you." Because when we choose to follow Him, even without knowing every detail, He faithfully leads us exactly where we need to go. I pray this encouraged you to not only seek answers from Jesus, but to seek Jesus Himself. And as always, continue walking by faith. Continue trusting God one step at a time. And remember, no matter your past, Jesus is still calling people to "Come and see!" My name is Omar Calvillo, and through Jesus Christ, I've gone from darkness to light and from wrong to strong.