It is amazing to see some of the extreme measures to which people in the Scriptures went in their search for Jesus. On the reverse end, it is quite sad that others avoided Jesus at all costs. In the Gospels, there is a story about a man named Legion. This man was filled with demons, and the people of his village knew it. He was an outcast, and there was seemingly no hope left for this man.
However, when Jesus arrived on the scene, he cast out the “legion” of demons into a heard of pigs. The man who was referred to as Legion sat at the feet of Jesus and was finally in his right mind. He desired to follow Jesus and live for Jesus and to be in Jesus’ presence. Nevertheless, the people of the town pleaded that Jesus would leave their town. In the end, their pigs were more important to them than the Savior.
But as Jesus walked the earth, there was a way in which people recognized the power that this man yielded. Surely, they could never see the heights of it, as Jesus was God incarnate. Still, they saw this man and knew that if anyone could do something about their plight, it would be Jesus. They saw a compassionate man Who was not only powerful but also loved to help people. This combination of compassion and power led many to seek after the Lord. Many pursued Jesus because of the gifts He was willing to give. Still others pursued Christ because of genuine faith.
In this day and age, as in the years gone by, it is vital that the church of God genuinely seek the Lord. Theatrics will not do; neither will entertainment. Jesus is not here to entertain the masses. Jesus’ desire is to advance His kingdom through those who genuinely seek the Lord. This is illustrative in the Old Testament during the times in which Israel was a kingdom. What were the distinguishing marks in Israel of a successful kingdom and a falling kingdom? The simple answer is that the kings who did good sought the Lord during their reign. On the other hand, the kings who did wickedness in the eyes of the Lord were those kings who did not seek the Lord.
It is one thing to hear that we must seek the Lord. It is yet another to know what seeking the Lord looks like. Mark 2:1-5 gives a wonderful picture through a narrative account concerning what it looks like to seek the Lord.
Finding Jesus
Scripture says, “And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house” (Mark 2:1). Some people make it seem as though finding Jesus is difficult. In this portion of Scripture, one can see that the people heard that Jesus was at His house. Sure, Jesus traveled a lot and walked among the people. As a result, Jesus could say elsewhere in Scripture that He had no place to lay His head. On the other hand, His house was known by many.
This serves as an illustrative picture for us, in that finding Jesus is not hard. He is not hiding from His creation. We are not playing a spiritual counterpart to the children’s game of hide-and-go-seek. Jesus desires to make Himself known. He has also made it very clear where He can be found for anyone who desires to seek Him. People are told where Jesus resides. If someone wants to meet Jesus, there is a place they can go to sit at His feet.
God has declared that communion with Him can be had in His Word, in prayer, in true Christian fellowship, and in the church of God, to name some of the places. The problem is not that Jesus is hiding; the problem is that many do not want to visit His house.
Hearing Jesus
However, we read that there were a large number of people that sought the Lord at His abode. For those that want to abide in Christ, they will need to spend time in His abode. There is no other way. Seek the Lord where He may be found. There will be places that God chooses not to manifest His presence, apart from bringing a dead sinner to life in Christ and pulling Him out of the pit. But one thing is for sure; you can find Jesus at the front door of His house.
Scripture says, “And straightaway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them” (Mark 2:2). The people gathered together at the door of Jesus to hear the Word of God. Here, yet again, is another illustrative picture of seeking the Lord and meeting Jesus.
While Jesus is the Door, we also need to enter by a door to get to the Door. Within the door of the house, Jesus shared the Word of God to the people. So it will be in the lives of mankind that if they want to seek the Lord and enter into a relationship with Jesus, they need to listen to His Word. They must not just listen but also receive the words of Christ. In essence, the Word of God can be compared to a door that leads to the Door.
Seeking Jesus
When someone is truly seeking the Lord, it will be evident in his life that he has become an intercessor. Jesus lived on earth not only for His glory, but also for the lost. Jesus took the cross upon His shoulders not just for a throne, but also to save those who desperately needed a Savior. The Bible tells us that Jesus ever lives to make intercession for His people. The Christian, as he matures in Christ, will seek the Lord not just for himself, but also for others. Scripture says, “And they came unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four” (Mark 2:3). These men brought a sick man and would soon lay him before the feet of Jesus.
Bombarding Jesus
When the people with the sick man could not get to the Lord, they did not stop there. The Christian, as well, will find times in which things of this world are getting in the way of contact with the Lord. The believer must enter into the presence of the Lord. He must be at the feet of Jesus. Whatever is getting in the way must be removed. For the people in Mark 2:1-5, it was the roof that was getting in the way. Scripture says, “And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was; and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay” (Mark 2:4). If you desire to seek the Lord, remove the roofs from your life.
Receiving Jesus
Finally, the man found himself at the feet of Jesus where he needed to be. Those who genuinely seek the Lord will find themselves there, as well. It is at the feet of Jesus that healing will come. All of this activity amounted to one thing. Scripture says, “When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee” (Mark 2:5). Two points arise from this portion of Scripture that are of the utmost importance for the Christian to notice.
The first point is that Jesus responds to faith. The importance of faith cannot be overemphasized. Sadly, however, it is often underemphasized. It seems as though the gross misunderstandings of faith concerning matters such as the name-it-and-claim-it teachings are being met with another extreme of not talking about faith at all. Here, Jesus responds to faith in the New Testament in the same way that He responds to faith today.
The second point is that it was the faith of the intercessors that brought about forgiveness in the man’s life. It may seem a little odd to say, but if you will note the words of Christ, you will see that it was the faith of the people who laid the sick man at Jesus’ feet that Jesus responded to. So, too, will it be in your life if you faithfully plead for the lost.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for Your teaching on what it looks like to seek Your face. Help me to remove roadblocks in my life and to grow in interceding for others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.