What Are We Seeking?

Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. Luke 23:8

King Herod had long desired to meet Jesus of Nazareth because he had heard so much about Him. Herod was not alone in seeking to meet Jesus. The religious Pharisees wanted to meet Him. The people who had heard about Jesus feeding the 5000 sought Him.

Some sought Jesus out of a pure heart because they wanted to know if He truly was the Messiah. The crowd in John chapter 6 was seeking bread. The priests were seeking to trap Jesus into saying something against the Law of Moses. Herod and others like him sought Jesus so he could do miracles in front of them as if he were a magician, only to be disappointed when the Lord would not perform for them.

People are no different today than they were 2000 years ago when it comes to seeking Jesus. Some seek Him for a while but then say, “Jesus is not real” because He didn’t heal someone, or because He allows suffering in the world. Many chase after the Lord because they want something. Their relationship with Him depends on what they get from Him. If things are good then God is good. If things are not then they are doubtful.

The question is, “What am I seeking Jesus for? Is it for satisfaction? Is it to be part of something bigger than myself? Am I following the Lord for what I can get from Him? If so, what do I do if I don’t get what I want?”

The Apostle Paul was a man who sought something from Jesus. Paul had a great story. He was someone who most would love to have in their church, he was a studious man, one of many experiences both good and bad. He had a lot to bring to the table. But with all that he had, all the history and the suffering and the work he did for God, he states, “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:8) Paul sought Jesus for one thing, “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” (Philippians 3:10)
“Knowing God” is not a popular reason for seeking Jesus today. In fairness people who are seeking Jesus don’t know what they are seeking for. They simply know they have a need and hope that Jesus can fill it. Indeed He can.
Let us seek to know Jesus as Paul did, and be ready to lead others to the one who can fill their needs forever.