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By Mike Caton

John 18:7, “Again he asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’ ‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they said.”

Jesus has already asked these men this question. They told him they wanted Jesus, and when Jesus told them here he was, they stumbled over themselves and fell down. So, we can’t help but wonder if they really wanted Jesus.

It seems there are a lot of people in the world who say they want Jesus, but they really don’t. What they do want is the good feelings about Jesus, the salvation he promises, the peace he provides, the hope he gives and so forth. And Jesus is more than willing to provide those things to each and every one of us. But those things do come with a price. To really have Jesus, we have to make a commitment to him. We have to allow him to be the Lord of our life. We have to submit to his will, his plans and so forth. That is the catch many people cannot get past. They want a Jesus they can control, one they can manipulate. They want a Jesus they can take out when they need and put up when they don’t. Yesterday, I had a little headache, so what did I do? I went to the medicine cabinet, took out some headache pills and took them. Then I put the bottles back and closed the door and went on about my day. That’s how far too many people want to treat Jesus. You stay in this little box until I need you, then I’ll come get you to fix my problem, then you can get back in the box until I want you again. We cannot do Jesus that way! We either make a commitment to the Lord or we don’t.

My prayer for each of us, myself included (especially), is that we want Jesus and then we want some more Jesus! I pray we are constantly examining ourselves to find ways and places in our lives we can give Jesus more of ourselves. I pray we are asking God to examine our hearts and show us our weakness, faults and hidden sins. And I pray we are committed to getting rid of any hindrance in our lives and giving Jesus more and more control.

Father, help me want you more. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Mike Caton is the preacher at Mount Olive Church of Christ in Belhaven. He volunteers at the Ponzer Fire Department and works full time with Hyde County EMS. If you would like to receive daily devotions in your inbox, email mikecaton@centurylink.net.

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