What Do You Seek?

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

Children play hide and seek—I’m sure that we all have when we were young. Do you remember how excited you were in your hiding place, totally aware that someone was diligently seeking you, desiring to discover and find you—but you didn’t want to be found?

Seek is a word that Jesus used quite often.  Early in his ministry he turned and asked the two disciples of John who were following him, “What do you seek?” And they replied, “Where are you staying?” Then Jesus said, “Come and see” When they saw where he was staying they stayed with him for the rest of the day. (John 1:38-39) These two men were actually Peter and Andrew his brother, and the reason they followed him was because they heard John Baptist say, “Behold the Lamb of God!” (Verse 29)  That’s all it took to light a burning fire in their lives, and their search was not just curiosity or nosiness, they were deadly serious about it! I believe that Jesus recognised and respected that seriousness.  Until that time they had probably thought John was the Christ, but of course he pointed them away from himself to Jesus as we read in verse 29,  “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” Jesus actually challenged their search: “What are you looking for?” he asked, “What are you seeking?” Any spiritual journey worth the effort must begin with the answer to this simple but probing question!

We also find this word ‘seek’ in the writings of Jeremiah the prophet.  He writes to the elders, priests and prophets who had been taken captive by king Nebuchadnezzar and transported to Babylon. He writes with this authority in Jeremiah 29:4, “Thus says the Lord!” To the people in bondage God cries—“Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord.”(verses 12-14)

Many people already believe in God, like Peter and Andrew, but still seek a deeper meaning, purpose and truth in their lives.  It’s interesting that Jesus said of himself that, “The Son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost!” (Luke 19:10) So, he diligently seeks you, me, and everyone else, especially those who have set their hearts to seek and find him; and you know—he really does want to be found!

Prayer
Thank you, Lord, that you have made it your top priority to look, search, and seek for, the lost and bring them home to the Father.
Amen

Study by Cliff Neill

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About the Author:
Cliff Neill is an Elder in Grace Communion Church Luton.

Local  Congregation:
Grace Communion Church Luton
Farley Hill Methodist Church
North Drift Way
Farley Hill
LUTON LU1 5JE

Meeting Time:
Saturday 10:30am

Local Congregational Contact:
Harry Sullivan
Phone:  01908-582222
Email: harry_sullivan@wcg.org.uk