In the lateness of the hour and perilousness of the times we live in, it may sometimes be critical to stop and ask some probing questions of ourselves, as children of God following Lord Yeshua. There is so much going on – so much going around, so much “information” thrown at us and into us! In the whirlwind which life can seem to be like at times, thank God for every “enforced pause” as we read His word, that we might ponder more deeply awhile, and adjust ourselves accordingly. They may also be for needful reminders of the certainty and assurance we have in Lord Yeshua, including the continuing work of the Holy Spirit, sanctifying, shaping and growing us in The Faith by God’s grace.
A recent reading in the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel afforded such an occasion, enabling a precious time of pondering on reasons why people seek Lord Yeshua. The passage being read followed the account of the miraculous feeding of over 5,000 people by Lord Yeshua with five loaves and two fishes at John 6:1-15. Later after this, some who had seen and eaten the food began to search for Yeshua, consequently even travelling over the sea into Capernaum where they worked out He must have gone. They obviously went through some extraordinary lengths to find Him – such was their determination in seeking Yeshua. They do find the Lord, who however calls out their true motivation for seeking Him and counsels them on better reasons to seek Him, than what was truly in their hearts! John 6:25-27 records this:
And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labour for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”
Read thoughtfully, it can be seen as a key Scripture passage – a searching one which at times may demand of us some self-inquiry as to why we seek or are seeking Yeshua the Messiah. The meaning of the Greek word translated as ‘seek’ includes ‘to search for, to desire, to strive after’ (see Strong’s, Greek, 2212, https://biblehub.com/greek/2212.htm). The import of such an inquiry lies in the instruction Lord Yeshua gave, to not ‘labour for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life’ (John 6:27). What is that ‘food’ which Lord Yeshua gives? That which truly nourishes, feeds, fills and gives life to our souls. Is it possible that the thing we are seeking the Lord for – though in itself may be a good thing – may not actually be His will for us, at this time, or even at all? Is it possible to fall into the deception of believing we are seeking the Lord’s will to be done, but are actually seeking our own will and way? Is it possible that we might believe we are seeking the Lord, but actually not seeking Lord Yeshua at all?
As I pondered on these things, the words from a personally deeply meaningful Psalm came into my thoughts:
When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” (Psalm 27:8)
I was struck then by the words ‘my heart’ – noting that the Psalmist, David, did not say ‘my lips.’ The lips may say anything and, in actuality, even the heart may be deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9) – including a converted one! ‘Am I really seeking God in this?’ may be a needful question. The word of God however, humbly received and continued in, will uncover the truth for our answer! Hebrews 4:12-13, for example, teaches us this:
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
As we continue to read, feed and ponder upon the word of God – that we may grow in being do-ers of it increasingly – let’s consider more deeply those things which God tells us to seek. May we be enabled to ask His grace to help us do this from teachable hearts, that we might walk evermore sure-footedly in His light, with Lord Yeshua in these days of growing darkness, deception and dangerous peril. As we do, we may also want to consider Lord Yeshua in this, who Himself in His earthly ministry said this: “….I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me” (John 5:30).
Please do feel free to email me with your own findings or better still, post a comment that we might encourage and build one another up in the most Holy Faith and the truth of God’s word. What follows are a few thoughts on non-exhaustive points for note in the New Covenant writings (there are far more in the Hebrew Scriptures for us to delve into):
Things that we ought to seek Lord Yeshua for:
- God Himself – Acts 17:27 (see Acts 17:15-34)
‘God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us’ (Acts 17:24-27).
- His Kingdom and His Righteousness – Luke 12:31 (see Luke 12:22-32; Matthew 6:33 (Matt 6:24-33))
“And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Luke 12:29-31).
- Actual Entrance into His Kingdom – Luke 13:24
[For any who may not yet have entered God’s kingdom or are unsure about, please also read in the context recorded at Luke 13:22-30]
And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able”. (Luke 13:22-24).
- For God’s will to be done, especially in prayer for anything – Matthew 7:7-8/Luke 11:9-10 + 1 John 5:14-15)
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)
‘Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.’ (1 John 5:14-15)
- The Things of Messiah Yeshua – Philippians 2:21
‘For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus’ – Apostle Paul sharing on some of his experiences in ministry)
- Things that are above – Colossians 3:1
‘If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.’
Colossians 3:1-4 is a particularly powerful reminder to do this, especially during tough times of struggle with temptation to over focus on this present earthly life and self.
- The glory that will one day come from God – John 5:44
“How can you believe, who receive honour from one another, and do not seek the honour that comes from the only God?”
See also Romans 2:2-11, noting verses 7-8 in particular.
Clearly God wants us to seek Him for Himself and His will, which is always good and perfect for us – and He assures us that when we do this with all our heart, we WILL find Him and His answer to our search (see e.g. Jeremiah 29:13).
In contrast, there is only one circumstance where Lord Yeshua says to those “seeking Him” that they shall not find Him. The quotations are deliberate! Those who were among the unrepentant religious hypocrites who knew better and evildoers seeking to do evil against the Lord would never find Him. Keeping the context in mind, you may wish to read for example John 7:2-36, noting verses 34 and 36 and John 8:2-24, noting verse 21. Such passages also help underline for us that why people seek Yeshua matters.
For those who love Yeshua the Messiah in sincerity, may the Lord God enable us to seek His grace to help us continually seek Him in everything, especially in these trying times, with a true heart of worship. May the Lord also use us to point lost souls around us to Lord Yeshua and enable us to help them likewise seek Him and be saved.
“ But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth;
for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
(John 4:23-24).
Amen.
Until He calls or comes, Shalom and God bless.
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