How Do We Seek Him?

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2019 6:40 pm Post subject: How Do We Seek Him?

How Do We Seek Him?

Scripture:

For great power always belonged to you alone: and who shall resist the strength of your arm? For the whole world before you is as the least grain of the balance, and as a drop of the morning dew, that falls down upon the earth: But you have mercy upon all, because you can do all things, and overlook the sins of men for the sake of repentance. For you love all things that are, and hate none of the things which you have made: for you did not appoint, or make any thing hating it. And how could any thing endure, if you would not; or be preserved, if not called by you? But you spare all: because they are yours, O Lord, who loves souls.

O how good and sweet is your spirit, O Lord, in all things! And therefore you chastise them that err, by little and little: and admonish them, and speak to them, concerning the things wherein they offend: that leaving their wickedness, they may believe in you, O Lord.
(Wisdom 11:22-12:2)

Wherefore also we pray always for you: That our God would make you worthy of his vocation and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness and the work of faith in power: That the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

And we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and of our gathering together unto him: That you be not easily moved from your sense nor be terrified, neither by spirit nor by word nor by epistle; as sent from us, as if the day of the Lord were at hand.
(2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2)

And entering he walked through Jericho. And behold, there was a man named Zacheus, who was the chief of the publicans: and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was: and he could not for the crowd, because he was low of stature. And running before, he climbed up into a sycamore tree, that he might see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus was come to the place, looking up, he saw him and said to him: Zacheus, make haste and come down: for this day I must abide in your house. And he made haste and came down and received him with joy. And when all saw it, they murmured, saying, that he was gone to be a guest with a man that was a sinner. But Zacheus standing, said to the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have wronged any man of any thing, I restore him fourfold. Jesus said to him: This day is salvation come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
(Luke 19:1-10)

Reflection:

Can we imagine the moment we will look into the eyes of Jesus? Some might wait with loving expectation, looking for the love, compassion, mercy, and forgiveness demonstrated to the world during His life, death, and resurrection. Others might wait with trepidation, fearing the conversation where they might be reminded of all which they have done in offense to God and in harm of others. Others do not consider the thought, for in so doing, they must turn from their denial of His existence or what the power of His judgment might bring upon them.

Our consideration of this moment might come from our knowledge of what happened upon the cross and the purpose of His sacrifice, (cf. Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45) but what if we were like Zacheus; unaware of the sacrifice about to be made for the ransom of souls, but hearing of the wisdom this man spoke, His acts of healing, the love which He preached, and the forgiveness of sins which He offered? How might we be tempted to approach Him? Would we endeavor to see Him from a distance, fearing what might happen if His eyes locked with ours; fearing what He might see in our soul? Would we watch from a distance to see if we might see anything that might reveal whether what was said about this Man might be true?

As we witnessed the crowds swirl around Him, we might wonder, what might be our reaction? Would we look on with judgment and arrogant disdain for those thronging to Him? Would we shrink to the edges of the crowd, lest He see us and hold us to account for what we might harbor within us? Would we rush to Him with our petitions? Would we rush to Him pleading for our physical healing? Would we rush to Him pleading for our spiritual healing? Would we rush to Him pleading for His mercy and the forgiveness of our sins? Would we rush to Him so we might hear His wisdom? Would we rush to Him to feel the presence of His glory, compassion, and love? Would we rush to Him to express the love welling upon in our heart?

As we reflect upon these questions, we might consider all of the possibilities of curiosity, wonder, fear, joy, and love. If we do not know Him, if we do not know what He taught, if we have sinned against Him, if we do not know what He did for us from upon the cross; we might be more tempted to respond with curiosity, wonder, or fear. The more we study His Word, the more we spend time with Him in prayer, the more we open our hearts to Him, the more we seek to live according to what He taught; the more we are likely to respond with joy and love, the more we are likely to see His fingerprints upon our lives, the more we are likely to seek His eternal embrace.

If we allow His love to be truly within us, then, we shall desire as He does that His blessing may be accepted by all who surround us. Let us, then, remember in prayer those who do not know Him or who turn away from Him and especially those who spurn Him. Let us call for a blessing upon them, so their hearts, too, might become opened to Him so no soul might be lost.

Questions for further reflection:

In what ways do we observe Jesus leading us away from the behaviors of sin?

In what ways do we pray for others, that they may experience Jesus and turn their hearts to Him?

In what ways do we approach Jesus, to learn about Him, to experience Him, to love Him, and to thank Him for His great love and mercy?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier