What Do You Seek?
Submitted by Frank Williams
October 14, 2024
Joh 1:38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
Two men had been baptized by John the Baptist. When Jesus walked by, they heard John say, “Behold the Lamb of God.” The two looked at each other and stepped out to follow the Lord.
Shortly, Jesus abruptly turned to them and asked, “What seek ye?” In a good sense, it could even be a reference to worship, as well as, seeking in general. In a bad sense, it refers to a plot against someone. It’s like asking, What is your purpose in following me?
These two must have been somewhat stunned at this point blank question. Jesus does have a way of getting past the superficial and right to the substantial. His was not a casual question, and He never asks a question that He doesn’t know the answer to. But He wants us to hear the answer that we ourselves give, and to reveal what is really in the heart.
So, in a personal way, what do you seek? What do you want? Who do you worship? How would you reply to such a question if it were put directly to you by the Lord?
Many of us are not honest enough with our own souls to even know how to answer such a question. We fumble about for words, and stumble over our secret fears, and end up sputtering away words.
We want our toilets to flush without backing up. We want insect repellant, and a cure for dreaded diseases. We want free stuff. We want liberty. We want money. We want our candidate in the Oval office – not theirs.
We want entertainment, pleasure, fun, and we want it without guilt. We want answers. We want good weather. And the list goes on. Sooner or later, perhaps we will actually land upon what it is we really, really want.
That’s what Jesus is asking. It is really a test of the heart. “I know all the religious answers, all the ridiculous answers, and all the right answers – but, what I’m looking for is the real answer. What do you want?”
So, what do you seek and want? No, what do you REALLY seek and want? And the follow-up, What do you really NEED?
Consider – How would you answer Jesus question to you today?
