Seeking Jesus: Understanding Our True Motives

Men and women still seek Him.

Jesus will never have an identity crisis. He knows who He is, was, and ever will be. The express purpose of His presence on earth was to make Himself known rightly, and the Holy Spirit to continue to make Him known.

If we are ever to know Him rightly, we must know Him intimately.

The With God Life

The joy of being a disciple—a child of God—lies in the ability to know Him in such a treasured way. The nature of our “with God” life is to walk and talk with Him every day.

He is our constant Companion and dearly beloved Friend. It’s a mystery, and yet true. He comes alive in our souls and in our minds. The Holy Spirit in the Secret Place and His illuminated Word enable this love relationship.

His presence is real.

The Great I Am

We’re going to spend a few weeks camping out here in the Gospel of John, chapter 6, as we’re given a glimpse into His identity as the Bread of Life. This chapter is the first of seven “I Ams” revealed in sacred Scripture.

• I am the Bread of Life (John 6:25)
• I am the Light of the world (John 8:12)
• I am the Door (John 10:7 & 9)
• I am the Good Shepherd (John 10:11 & 14)
• I am the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25)
• I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life (John 14:5)
• I am the True Vine (John 15:5)

We could easily do a quick preview of each “I Am”, but then our knowledge would be shallow and our understanding limited. To know God rightly, we must seek Him rightly and come to know Him as He is, not what we want Him to be.

One cannot cultivate intimacy overnight.

First, we must ask ourselves why we seek Him. In John 6:22-25, we see the seekers and how the Lord identifies the truth. Are they seeking Him rightly?

The Seekers (John 6:22:25)

Do you recall the crowd Jesus fed – five thousand? Although he sent them away to return home, some remained behind on the shore. They had seen something never seen before.

Was this the Messiah?

The smaller group of seekers couldn’t find Jesus or His followers the next morning. He was not there. Some small boats from Tiberius had come ashore. I don’t know why they were there, but they used these boats to seek Jesus.

Someone must have heard that His next stop was Capernaum.

So, they took these small ships to seek Jesus. They found Him in the synagogue.

“Rabbi, when did you get here?”

Motive

Why were the seekers seeking Jesus?

Jesus addressed this question immediately. He didn’t even answer the question of when He had got to Capernaum or how.

They’re there because of the signs. Seeing Jesus heal the sick and feed them made them want something from Jesus. They now wanted Jesus to take care of their physical needs every day.

They sought Jesus for all the wrong reasons.

Jesus brings something of greater value to us; it is spiritual food. This food endures forever, even to eternal life.

Jesus Himself is the Son of God whom the Father sent and set His seal on Him. The signs and wonders proved that seal – identified His true identity.

Why Seek Him?

Men, women, and children still seek Him today.

They may seek Jesus for the wrong reasons, too. It’s personal. He understood clearly their motive and knows ours as well.

Why do you seek Him?

If we are ever to move from a shallow relationship to intimacy, we need to address this question. Are you seeking Him for the benefits alone? Have you seen what He’s done for others? Are you merely curious?

Our motives for seeking Jesus are important. Will we endeavor to seek Jesus with depth, understanding His true nature? Are we ready to make Him our all-in-all? Are we set to devote ourselves wholeheartedly to Him?

Are you ready to relinquish all rights to Christ?

Call to Action

There’s only one way to discover the answers to these questions. Find time to seek Him. Go behind closed doors, in a secluded place, alone with Him. Talk to Him, ask Him to examine you.

Examine me, O LORD, and try me; test my mind and my heart. Ps 26:2 CSB

Trust me, I know how hard this is. We’re vulnerable creatures, and Jesus can see into the depths of our souls and know our minds. Our hearts are laid bare before Him.

Every diagnosis must be treated.

Don’t shy away from this personal examination. He who is near you is true in His enduring love and faithful in His mercy. He wants an intimate relationship.

He’s taken the first step toward you; the next step is yours.

Seeking Him, not a onetime thing.

I still need Him to examine me to identify any and everything that might be separating us. I need Him to show Him if my motives have changed.

Do I take Him for granted? Have the demands of this life shifted my devotion? Are the meditations of my heart on the world and self?

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my Rock, and my Redeemer. Ps 19:14 CSB

Enduring Relationship

Like all enduring relationships, it takes time, honesty, and truth to cultivate. Our intimacy with God is no different. Vulnerability is not the end, but the beginning.

What are you waiting for? Go! Go now because He’s waiting for you. Today is the day. Don’t miss it or let the demands of this world draw you away.

Honestly seek Him.

Can’t you hear Him calling?

Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matt 11:28-30 CSB.

To know Him is to love Him. To love Him is to trust Him, and to trust Him is to obey. In obeying the adventure of the “with God” life begins.

Come on! What are you waiting for?