I started reading the gospel of John the other day and my attention was drawn to a question Jesus asked. The question itself was powerful enough, but why would an omniscient God ask questions? To teach us something about ourselves, I think. Meet me here on Mondays and Thursdays to look at the questions Jesus posed, and see what the answers reveal about our own hearts.
In John 1:38, John the Baptist has pointed out the Lamb of God to two of his disciples, and they immediately follow after Jesus. Literally. After several minutes, Jesus turns and asks them, “What do you seek?” It’s significant that Jesus asked the question before he let these guys follow Him very far.
What do you seek? The dictionary says ‘seek’ means to go in search of, to try to discover, to ask for, to try to acquire.
What are you searching for? Peace … Redemption … Belonging …
What are you trying to discover? Your purpose … your path …
What are you asking for? Forgiveness … Answers …
What are you trying to acquire? Validation … Salvation …
Are we following Christ because we believe we can find these things? No doubt. He has the answers that cannot be found anywhere else. So are we following Christ because of what we hope to gain? Maybe not tangible, material things, but spiritual blessings? That’s a tough question for a rainy Monday morning.
Christ is worthy of our devotion because of who He is, not what He does (It’s hard to separate them, I know.) As He loves us unconditionally, it’s only fitting that we love Him the same way. What are you seeking? Christ? Or the fringe benefits He offers?