January 18, 2026 

As two disciples quietly follow Him in John 1:38-39, Jesus turns and asks a deeply personal question, “What do you want?” Instead of offering a confident answer, they respond with a simple, searching question of their own, asking where He is staying. Jesus does not explain Himself or outline expectations. He invites them into presence and shared time, saying, “Come and you will see.” They accept the invitation, spend the day with Him, and that ordinary afternoon becomes the beginning of a life-changing journey.

Devotional: Most of us hesitate before we begin anything that matters. We want to feel ready, to have a little proof that we won’t waste our time, look foolish, or get hurt. So we wait for confidence, for a sign, for the moment when our questions settle down. Faith can feel the same way. We tell ourselves we’ll pray when we know what to say, we’ll trust when we understand more, we’ll follow when life calms down.

John 1 shows a different start. John the Baptist points at Jesus and says, “Look.” He doesn’t hand people a study guide. He offers what he has, a clear, steady witness. Two of his disciples respond in the most ordinary way possible, they just start walking behind Jesus. No speeches. No certainty. Just a quiet step in the right direction.

Then Jesus turns and asks a question that still catches in our throat: “What do you want?” It’s not a trap. It’s a kindness. Jesus lets them be human. He gives them room to have real desires, mixed motives, and half-formed hopes. And like most of us, they don’t answer the big question directly. They ask something smaller: “Where are you staying?”

That question sounds simple, but it feels familiar. When you don’t know what you want, you still know you want to be close to what is good. You want to know where to find it again. You want a place to breathe, a place that feels steady. The disciples want to know where Jesus “stays,” where His life is rooted, where they can spend time with Him long enough for their hearts to catch up.

We do this in everyday life. When you’re grieving, you don’t always need a lecture, you need someone safe. When anxiety gets loud, you look for a steady voice, a calm room, a friend who won’t rush you. When you’re trying to start over, you don’t need every step mapped out, you just need a door that opens. That’s what Jesus offers here, a door.

Jesus doesn’t demand a finished faith. He doesn’t scold their awkwardness. He invites them into presence: “Come and see.” And they go. They spend the day with Him. John even remembers the hour, about four in the afternoon, like someone circling a date on a calendar because life changed there. A lot of us can name a moment like that, not flashy, not dramatic, just quietly holy. A conversation. A verse that landed. A sense of being seen.

That’s the grace in this passage. Discipleship begins with an invitation that respects your pace. Jesus welcomes curiosity. He honors the next step. He meets people before they can explain themselves. If you feel unsure, you’re not disqualified. If you feel late, you’re not locked out. Jesus still turns toward you with the same open hands and the same words: come, and you will see.

Action: This week, choose one small way to “come and see” instead of waiting to feel ready. Set aside ten quiet minutes with your Bible open to John 1:29–39, and tell Jesus honestly what you want, even if your words feel clumsy. If you can’t name it, just say that. Then take one next step that matches your longing, a short prayer before you get out of the car, a walk with worship music, a text to someone who feels safe, or showing up to church even if you feel tired. Let it be small, let it be real, and trust that Jesus meets you in the showing up.

Prayer: Jesus, You know how often we hesitate because we want certainty before we move. Thank You for turning toward us with kindness instead of pressure, and for inviting us into Your presence when our faith feels unfinished. Help us take the next small step without trying to earn Your attention or prove ourselves. Meet us in our questions, steady us in our fear, and give us the quiet courage to come and see. We trust Your grace to hold us while we learn to follow. In Your name we pray, amen.

Thought for the Day: You don’t have to be ready, certain, or confident to come to Jesus, you just have to be willing to take the next small step toward Him.

Some of the holiest moments don’t start with certainty, they start with a small step. Jesus doesn’t demand you have everything figured out. He simply invites you, “Come and see.” If you feel unsure, tired, or behind, you’re exactly the kind of person Jesus welcomes into His presence.