Red Letters: What are you seeking?

What are you seeking?

As we start reading through , we are struck by the very first words of Jesu-s… “What are you seeking?” It was words that were spoken to two men who had believed that Jesus was the ‘Lamb of God’ and they had taken it upon themselves to follow after Him.

The message of the ‘Lamb of God’ came from John the Baptist who was in the area baptizing people in to repentance. In other words, he was taking people who saw the sin in their lives and wanted to begin a new journey on God’s perfect path for their lives. He would take them and baptize them, yet he knew His place. He told those sent to figure out who he was...

“I am not the Christ.”

Then, he described the Christ, or Messiah, who was to come.

John 1

John 1:26–27 ESV

John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”

The next day after John said these words Jesus was walking towards him when John said these powerful words:

John 1:29–34 ESV

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

John 1:

Did you hear the power in John’s words?

“This is the Son of God.”

The very next day after John said these words he was standing with two of his disciples and, as Jesus was coming towards him, looked to these disciples and said:

John 1:36 ESV

and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”

These two disciples of John then began to follow after Jesus. The Bible doesn’t tell us what this looked like. Were they overtly following him or buried behind corners in a trenchcoat and sunglasses? I’m not sure, but the Bible does tell us that they were found out. The Bible tells us that:

“Jesus turned and saw them following...”

And then Jesus very first recorded words in the book of John were spoken:

“…What are you seeking?”

They answered with another question.

“Rabbi (which means Teacher), where are you staying.”

Even though there are only a few words shared here, they are of incredible importance.

“What are seeking?” Is the ultimate question of life. What are you seeking? What are you searching for?

I am reminded of the words of Bono from the band U2 singing, “And I still… haven’t found… what I’m looking for.”

I see that to be so true in the lives of so many. We are out searching for this thing or that and they we receive it or get it and then find that it doesn’t give us that thing that we really wanted more than anything… Peace, Love and a Sense of Purpose.

When asked that question, the first word out of these disciples lips described their intention and what they were truly looking for…

“Rabbi.”

They were looking to be brought under the wing of Jesus. They are looking to be taught by Him. They are looking to enter into a relationship where they will learn and grow and experience all that Jesus has to give them. That is why in the very next breath they say:

“Where are you staying?”

Ultimately, they are saying, ‘We are following you so that we can know where you live so that we can follow you around each and every day and watch how you live. And, maybe you will grow tired of our lurking in the shadows, and bring us in to an official Rabbi-Disciple relationship.

Jesus answered:

“Come and you will see.”

The recipe to all that there is when it comes to Jesus today… “Come and you will see.” They are entering in with the intention of surrender to Him as their Rabbi. They are ready to put their lives in proper perspective with Him at the helm of their lives. And now, Jesus simply says, ‘Come. Stay close. Keep your eyes open and you won’t help but see.’

In my relationship with Christ, I want to make sure that I keep my life in proper alignment. I want to keep Him at the forefront. He is the reason why I breathe breath. He is the sole purpose behind my life. And… understanding that… I simply want to live my life in such a way that I stay close to Him… I keep my eyes open… and I see His fingerprints all over my life.

Today, open your eyes. God is on the move all around you. He is lining things up. He is changing your heart. He is touching you at a deeper place and calling you into relationship with Him. I want to encourage you to respond today. Follow Him and watch the incredible places that He will lead you to.

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I still remember the day. I had on footie pajamas and was rocking a bad haircut. I was playing a game with a group of friends who were staying the night at my house. The game… “Hide and Seek”.

Johnny was “IT”. I heard him counting from the kitchen as I made my way swiftly underneath the bed in the guest room. It was the perfect spot. There was a dust ruffle that was sure to cover me from any chance of getting caught. I heard him say 20… then I heard 50… finally 100. And then the words, “Ready of not… here I come.”

I could hear his feet rustle down the hallway as shadows danced against the propped open door. I could hear snickering. And then the sounds ceased and the footsteps ceased and the dancing shadows went to sleep on the shag carpeting.

I waited. Holding my breath. I waited.

Nothing happened. Surely it was just a matter of time. I would hear the words that guaranteed my victory. “Olly. Olly. Oxenfree.”

I have no idea exactly what that means, except that it meant that I could brag for the rest of the night about how I had the best hiding place.

But still… nothing happened.

I waited five minutes. Then ten. Finally, crawling like a snake, I made my way out from under the bed. I stood up and quietly crept out of the door. I looked around the corner.

Nothing.

I slowly walked to the kitchen and as I peeked around the door I couldn’t believe my eyes. All of my friends were outside with sparklers dancing around like the shadows I left on the carpet in the hallway.

I busted out of the sliding glass doors and yelled at the top of my lungs...

“What are you doing? I was hiding!”

“Yeah, I know.” Johnny said. “But I quit seeking.”