John 1:38 records that Jesus turned to acknowledge the 2 followers trailing behind him and asks a question to them—Not who, but what do you seek? What an incredible question! We are going to see a lot of self-centered reasons for following Christ in this gospel and there are countless false reasons for coming to Christ by attaching oneself to the church in our day. Some are pursuing trial-free living or even emotional wholeness or excitement; some are desperate to fit in with the family religion so as to not feel ostracized from the benefits of family fellowship; others are seeking to find some nice, moral friends and/or a spouse and lastly some are desperate to find relief from the guilt that plagues them, though they aren’t willing to turn from that sin, but are merely hoping God accepts them on the basis of their church attendance.
So, what ultimately do you seek in Christ? In the end, it comes down to this: Is he your only hope to be accepted before God on the basis of his perfect righteousness being credited to you OR is he your perceived ticket to something else? The very first disciples are being asked to assess what they are really after and thus this is the very outset of the introduction of the call to discipleship, which is clearly articulated at a hinge point in the gospel at 12:25 He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. 26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.