What Jesus Did! 'Where Are You Staying?' — John 1:38-39

Friday, January 23, 2026

Jesus looked around and saw [John the Baptizer's two disciples] following. "What do you want?" he asked them.

They replied, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are you staying?"

"Come and see," he said. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day.

— John 1:38-39 NLT

Key Thought

"Where are you staying" could be accurately translated by the slang expression, "Where're you at, man?" The disciples wanted to know where Jesus' heart was. They wanted to know "what made him tick." They weren't asking for his address or wanting to evaluate the quality of his neighborhood. They didn't need to know is floor plan or the style of his home decor. They wanted to know if they should give up everything they had and follow him. Jesus' invitation to these early disciples is also an invitation to us: "Come and see," Jesus says. "You want to know my heart? You want to know what is important to me? You want to know how I can bless you? Come and see!" Jesus invites us to meet him through the Gospel of John. If you are not sure about Jesus, don't just read books about him; come, read his own story in the Gospels, especially the Gospel of John. He asks us to come, stay with him, and learn from him. He invites us to come and see!

Today's Prayer

Father, I do want to know Jesus. I want to know his love for me. I want to know his deity and glory. I want to know why he did what he did and why he cares so much for me. Please reveal Jesus to me as I seek to know him in this journey through the Gospel of John. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

7 Related Resources by Heartlight

Living in God's Story
Article by Rubel Shelly
Ready for a dangerous read? Rubel Shelly invites us into the dangerous story of Jesus and the Bible and to invite God into our lives to catch us up in his Kingdom work, the real life of faith and integrity.
Connecting People with Jesus
Article by Phil Ware
What on earth are we put here to do? Phil Ware begins a series of messages on The Andrew Effect -- connecting people with Jesus and helps us learn from Andrew on how to make a Jesus difference in the lives of others.
First Things First
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, If you are going to put "first things first," then what are these "first things" you must do with your friends and family? I know..."
Connecting with Jesus Personally
Article by Phil Ware
Can I really know Jesus? Phil Ware continues his series on The Andrew Effect focused on connecting others with Jesus as our life's mission.
See All 7 Related Resources about John 1:38-39

Illustration

Illustration of John 1:38-39 NLT — "Come and see,"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, January 23, 2026

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by John D. Barrow:
"There was no "before" the beginning of our universe, because once upon a time there was no time."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Psalm 118:5-6
"In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Don't Just Stand There' (Acts 1:10-11)
"As [the disciples] strained to see [Jesus] rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why are..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Luke 22:32
"How encouraging is the thought of the Redeemer's never- ceasing intercession for us. When we pray, he pleads for us; and when we are not praying, he....."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!