What do you want?

The invitation of Advent

Jesus likes to ask us what we want.

It’s a question repeated throughout the gospels in various forms: “What do you want?” “What do you want me to do for you?” “Do you want to get well?” Even from the beginning of his ministry, Jesus poses this question.

In the opening chapter of the book of John, John the Baptist is busy preaching, baptizing followers, and preparing the people’s minds and hearts for Jesus’ arrival. He is “a witness to the light” (John 1:8). On the second day in a row of preaching, he declares Jesus to be the Lamb of God, a title which would have carried incredible cultural and theological significance for his Jewish audience. I can imagine his followers feeling the excitement of a stirred longing tempered by a confused fear. How thrilling, yet also how improbable, John the Baptist’s message must have seemed.

The next day, John the Baptist sees Jesus passing by, points him out to two of his followers, Andrew and John (the author of the book) and says “look there he is! The Lamb of God!” The text says these two then followed Jesus. Just like that.

I wonder if Jesus heard John the Baptist declare his identity to Andrew and John. Did he look at them? Did he make eye contact? Did he smile? Why was he “passing by?” I so often wish for more details in these gospel stories.

It’s at this point that Jesus turns around and says to them, “what do you want?” or in the Message translation, “What are you after?” I wish I could hear his tone of voice. These words come across as slightly impatient, even hostile, at first. But that’s not the Jesus who actually shows up as the story continues.

Andrew and John respond in a strange way. They ask Jesus where he is staying that evening.

The two seem curious about Jesus but maybe don’t know how to express it, don’t want to impose by inviting themselves over or being too bold. Despite the direct nature of Jesus’ question, they’re dancing around the answer. What they probably mean to ask is “Are you who John the Baptist says you are? What’s your deal? Where did you come from? Where are you going? What’s your agenda?” And perhaps most importantly, “Should we trust you?” They want to get to know Jesus but don’t know where to begin.

Despite being a person of faith for a long time, this reaction and inability to accurately name the desire feels relatable. “What do you want?” is a surprisingly difficult question to answer.

But I absolutely adore the way Jesus responds: “come and see.”

This compelling and kind invitation is both comforting and terrifying. Jesus is welcoming Andrew and John into his sphere, his personal space. He’s creating time to be with them and meet them in their deepest desire and curiosity. But I wonder if Andrew and John realize just how much their lives are about to change by following Jesus to his home for the afternoon. Perhaps this is why Jesus asked them what they were after to begin with—to see if they were ready for such transformation.

I’ve noticed that my deepest longings are often shrouded by an equally profound fear. It’s hard to risk disappointment enough to speak my truest wants out loud. But the darkness of Advent offers me the space I need to welcome my fear not as a threat, but as a friendly light that illuminates my desire.

What do you want? is the question of Advent for me and come and see is the frighteningly liberating call.

A Spiritual Reflection:

What do you want? What tone do you hear in this question God asks you this advent? What’s the subtext? How do you respond?

Can you relate to the feeling of a longing tempered by fear? Sometimes I think the only way I can even tell what I want deep down is by looking at my fears. What might happen if you respond to the invitation of Jesus to come and see—to see and experience him as the improbable fulfillment of your longing?

These questions have been coming up for me regularly for the past year, so I’ve decided to explore them in depth (here and in my heart) throughout Advent. I hope you, too, will brave the darkness enough to come along and see.

Happy advent!