Whom Do you Seek?

Notes:

Introduction:

Search for the Historical Jesus

According to the Westar Institute:

After debate on each agenda item, Fellows voted using colored beads to indicate the degree of authenticity of Jesus’ deeds. Each color was assigned a number rating, so that votes could be quantified with a weighted average.

The Seminar adopted four categories:

Red (likely authentic)Pink (somewhat likely)Gray (somewhat unlikely)Black (unlikely)

Red, wasn’t apparently their favorite color.

They came up

When we seek Jesus with an agenda, we will often times create a type of Jesus that’s not always who Jesus actually is!

Whom are you seeking? Part II

Approaches Jesus in a Garden: 200? Difficult to say how many...

Juxtiposition of this verse: John 18:4 “4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?””

Knowing all that would happen, he knows whom they are seeking. Instead of saying, “You have comes to arrest Jesus of Nazareth.

For someone who already knows all that’s about to happen, he ask this question...

Q. Who is it that you’re looking for?

A. Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus responds with this mind-blowing answer… It’s like the entire book of John leads up to this moment of revelation:

Ego Eimi. “I am he”. “I am”

v. 6: “When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.”

Why is this such a mindblowing moment?

Jesus reveals himself as “I am”. Exact same words used in the translation used by 1st Century Jews for the name of God. In Exodus 3:14 “14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ””

And then Jesus flexes a bit...

Soldiers just fall to the ground

Ever notice that details?

Who is it your looking for? Jesus! “I AM”

The Ridiculousness of the Moment: “Who is it you want?” The world is groping after its true leader: he offers himself, and the world, after yielding for a moment to the impact of his divinity, arrests him and crucifies him.’” W. Temple

Jesus asks again: Who is it you’re look for?

Knocked, stumbled to the ground… Who is it you’re looking for?

“Let’s just be clear here for a moment, you’ve just experienced just a snap shot of my power, who is it again that you’re looking for?

Motivation:

Their answer is correct: If I were to ask you that question, how would you answer it?

Who is it that you are seeking? Very close to asking the question, “Who is it that you are following?”

Any follower of Jesus would should answer this question the exact same as these soldiers: Who is it at you seek? Jesus!

The words that come to my mind are words Jesus in Matthew 6: 33 “33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.”

They were literally seeking the King, but motivated by power, or money.

The question is simple, but under the surface that we need to ask is not merely WHO are you seeking, but WHY are you seeking?

WHY are you Seeking?

John 18:3 “So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees.”

Soldier’s: Duty. Be a good soldier, Listen to your commander. Don’t stir the pot. Obey orders.

Chief Priests and Pharisees: Power?

What’s your motivate to seeking Jesus?

Reverend Mark Knetsch:

God uses

Whom are you Seeking? Part II

Similarities

Same question (pl. vs. singular)

Physical Posture:

Fall vs. Stooped

Phil 2:10-11 “10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Both sought Jesus....

Both misunderstood the Power of Jesus!

Soldiers: Came to kill him. Overpower Jesus… He just flexed a little and they all fell down...

Here, Mary is stooped looking into a grave in grief.

Same Two Questions first:

Angels: Why are you weeping??

Jesus: Why are you weeping??

Silly question to Mary:

“They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”

I’m in grief! I’m lost, I’m confused. My world is in chaos. I have no purpose anymore. Take your pick!

I have no direction. I gave my life to a person who died. I followed him thinking he’d be something. My life is in complete ruin! I’m devastated and in utter ruin.

He gave me my sense of identity and purpose. He gave my life purpose and hope. Never again can I sit at his feet and learn from his amazing teaching… Why am I weeping?

I can’t even go to his grave to grieve because his body isn’t here.

Motivation was pure, but her motivation was just out of place as the soldiers, chief priests, and Pharisees:

Grief has no place in the tomb!

“She is not yet conscious of the unsuitability of her tears.” Hoskyns

Who was she seeking was the Jesus she understood!

She understood a finite Jesus, a Jesus who had limits, a Jesus who could defeat individual death like her brothers, but no his own.

So when we ask Mary at that moment who was she seeking, it was still a misunderstood Jesus...

What is your motivation to following Jesus?

What do you misunderstand about Jesus?

Questions force us to look at things from a different angle?

Jesus Seminar

Who was seeking whom?

Jesus is on the hunt?

Do you feel distant from Jesus?

Picture of Jesus

Which type of Jesus have your been seeking?

What is your motivation for seeking him?

Health? Wealth? Happiness?

“Jesus wants me to be happy?”

“Does he?”

Who are you seeking?

Who are you seeking?

Answer:

Rebel, the criminal, the heretic: they come with lanterns, torches, and weapons.

Dead Body. Publicly humiliated corps.

World’s Searching

Young Girl

POWER and INTIMACY

Strength and Sensitivity

Today’s Search for Jesus

Lifehouse Video

Everything:

Are you seeking this person for the right motivations?

He Comes in Power

He Speaks Your Name

Conclusion?

John 18:11 “11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?””