You Have To Keep Searching

People all over the world are searching for things to fill their lives. Some believe they have found what they are looking for; but finding Jesus is the first greatest find. Finding His truths is second, and if you haven’t found both, you have to keep searching.

Contrary to what we believe, the search for Jesus Himself is easy; only because Jesus is available. He is certainly not lost. He is accessible to the human race, wherever they are, whomever they are, whenever they need Him, and He can grant whatever they need, according to His will. All we have to do is call, “Jesus” and He will respond. He died for every man, therefore He is readily available once we call upon Him.  People are not afraid to seek Jesus, in fact they call upon Him regularly.

However, what many people are not searching for are the truths Jesus offers. Searching for something such as a phone brings no suspense, except to find where it is. We know what we are looking for—the phone; and it is exactly what we expect to find. Finding truths may not be so welcoming. The find may be just as harsh as it is gentle. Truths often require change and few are interested in a transformation.

Some search for Jesus because of the tangible things He can give: In chapter 6, John revealed that “Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him… Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. A little later Jesus left; again the crowd went searching for Him. Jesus knowing their hearts said to them, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs.”  Some people seek Jesus only for the tangibles. If they don’t get what they want, or as soon as they get what they want, they quit the search.

Some search for Jesus because of the miracles He can do: After seeing Jesus perform so many miracles, the people were not impressed. When Jesus told them to “believe on the one [God] has sent. They answered, ‘Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do?’ ” Until He does what they want, some don’t believe that Jesus is who He says He is, and they quit the search.

  After Jesus told the people some truths, “many of His disciples turned away and deserted Him.” The people didn’t want eternal truths, they wanted deliverance from their diseases, from their poverty and from Roman oppression. They didn’t want to hear that they must suffer with Jesus, they were already suffering. They didn’t want to hear that they should seek first the kingdom of God, they were too impoverished to seek something so intangible. But only those who purposed to keep searching, understood the truths spoken to them.

Thousands then and millions today, follow Jesus because they want a change of circumstances more than they seek heart transformation. Only those who seek to change their lives to reflect the life of Jesus will keep searching for truths. Jesus instructed, us not to “be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you.” Thankfully, there are those who keep searching for the truths He offers.

The rich young ruler kept searching for truths (Mark 10): He didn’t need a miracle, but he needed fulfillment. When Jesus told him the truths applicable to his life, he didn’t like what he heard. When you learn truths, you will either accept or reject them, because Bible truths seek to replace our way with God’s way.

Nicodemus kept searching for truths (John 3): Nicodemus was scared, but he was desperate for truth. He saw the miracles Jesus performed. He heard his colleagues, denied, rebuked and argued with Jesus. He was a learned man, but he didn’t understand. At first Nicodemus was puzzled by all of the new truths Jesus explained to him, but he kept searching. At Jesus’ death, he became instrumental in preserving Jesus’ body. Truths open our understanding, give us insight, and new purpose in life.

Mary kept searching for truths (Luke 10):  Martha was busy cooking. Mary, hungry for truths, sat at Jesus’ feet, trying to uncover the path for her life.  When we accept truths, they fill us up with hope, joy, peace and comfort. They give more satisfaction than physical food, or earthly possessions.

Finding Jesus is more than just finding the man, but also finding His ministry, His work and then learning how to transfer that to our lives.  Many people are calling out to Jesus, and He responds. Only a few are continuing with the search for His truths. Finding Jesus is one thing, accepting the truths to forgive, turn the other cheek, love your enemies, go into the world and preach is another thing.  In order to follow Jesus, you have to keep searching for life changing truths.

Searching for His truths is demanding, time consuming, even disconcerting; hence millions have shun the search. But you have to keep searching, until the search becomes life changing and set you on a passionate course of actions for the Father. The world gladly celebrates Christmas—Jesus’ birth. They like to celebrate Easter—Jesus’ death. What about the in between, Jesus’ life?

His life is the core of His ministry. Jesus wants to teach us eternal truths. He wants to save our souls, and turn our lives around, much more than He wants to change our circumstances. Notice that Jesus came; He gave the people physical food, healed their infirmities, but the greatest thing that He offered the people was eternity. Most of them rejected the offer. They were looking for something far grander, but eternity comes in small packages, of kindness, love, mercy, and forgiveness.  When the people didn’t find the sizable and luxurious package, they became disinterested in the search.

Jesus offers small packages of eternal truths. If you want to find them, you have to keep searching for Him because, just as He is the way, remember He is also the truth. If you have found Jesus but rejected His truths, you have to keep searching.