February 26

What Seek Ye?

They followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? — John 1:37-38

Here we see how easy Christ makes it for those who set out to find Him. When we start to seek Him, ever so timidly and tremblingly, He does not leave us to seek unencouraged, but quickly turns to meet us and to cheer and help us. Then He does not stand apart on some lofty mountain-top far away, or hide Himself out of sight, compelling us to seek alone and struggle through sore difficulties to get to His feet. He sees us when we take our first steps toward Him, and notes the very beginnings of our heart’s longings for Him. In the parable, the father was watching and saw the prodigal as he came painfully and wearily homeward; and when he saw him he ran to meet him. It is just in this way that Christ does when He sees a penitent sinner turn his face toward Him.

Notice His question also, “What seek ye?” This is Christ’s question to all who begin to go after Him. He wants us to know ourselves just what it is that we are seeking for. Once, when two blind men cried after Him, He turned and asked, “What will ye that I shall do unto you?” It is good for us to get our desires into definite form. Many people are unhappy, and know that they need something, but do not know what it is. They are unsatisfied with themselves; they are conscious of inperfection, of sin, of unrest; they bend their faces toward Christ and begin to pray to Him, but their prayers are vague and indefinite. Then Jesus turns and asks, “What seek ye?” If we will settle definitely what we want He will be ready to answer.

The form of this question also veils a promise: “Tell me what ye seek, and I will give it to you.” The question is nothing less than a key to Christ’s treasure-house. We need only to be sure that we seek truly, but we must remember that seeking is a very strong word.