Mark 1:37 - Homiletics

Seeking Jesus.

"All are seeking thee." It is man's nature to seek. Men are seeking many things. Some things they seek and find, other things they seek in vain, whilst there are things they seek, first to find and then to lose again. The impulses of our constitution respond to the appeals made from without. There is a mysterious personal attraction which renders some men the object of the quest of their fellows. But none has ever so been sought as was and is the Lord Jesus. Men, when spiritually awakened, attracted by the promises of the gospel and influenced by the Holy Spirit, seek for Christ, and, when they find him, find all things in him.

I. WHAT IN MEN LEADS THEM TO SEEK CHRIST ? There are many motives inducing to this inquiry and endeavor, just as when Jesus was on earth.

1 . Curiosity leads men to seek him. During our Lord's ministry, especially the earlier ministry in Galilee, there occurred, now and again, a rush to Jesus. Crowds followed him even into the deserts and the mountains. They came from far and near. And not only the populace, but the leaders of the people, were curious to see the Prophet of Nazareth; and Pharisees invited him to dine with them, and asked their friends to meet him. The novelty of Christianity no longer acts amongst our population; but in regions where the gospel is for the first time preached, this motive operates, and many "inquirers" are drawn, simply by their desire for some new thing, to seek a knowledge of the Saviour.

2 . Admiration leads men to seek him. Even sinful men confess the beauty of holiness, and the young and ardent and aspiring feel the marvellous attraction of a character with. which no other can be compared. There is so much of meanness and selfishness in humanity, that the presence upon earth of one morally noble and perfectly benevolent charms some choice and fervent souls, and draws them to our Lord.

3 . N eed and suffering lead men to seek him. When Jesus was on earth there came to him the hungry to be fed, the sick to be healed, the suffering to be relieved, the ignorant to be taught, the anxious to secure his interposition on behalf of their friends and comrades. Human want is perennial; and there are wants which the world can never supply, hearts the world can never fill. Where Jesus is known as the Dispenser of Divine compassion and bounty to the souls of men, men will be drawn to him.

"Far and wide, though all unknowing,

Pants for thee each mortal breast;

Human tears for thee are flowing,

Human hearts in thee would rest."

4. Sin and a sense of ill desert and need of pardon lead men to seek him. Sinners, who were repelled from the formal and self-righteous, were attracted to the gracious and compassionate Redeemer. Often from his lips issued the merciful and authoritative words," Thy sins be forgiven thee!" Sin has not ceased; its burden and its curse are stilt felt. And there is none but Christ who has power upon earth to forgive sins. No wonder that men come to him. In him the sinner meets with the pity of a tender heart and the authority of a Divine power.

II. WHAT IN CHRIST LEADS MEN TO SEEK HIM ?

1 . Foremost must be placed the fact that he seeks them. He came to seek and to save the lost. Had he not first come forth upon this quest, never would the needy and sinful children of men have gone forth to meet him. If "we love him because he first loved us," we have sought him because he first sought us.

2 . His invitations and promises. He has both bidden men seek his help, and has assured them that they shall not seek in vain. "Come unto me" is his invitation; and the assurance is added, "Ye shall find rest unto your souls."

3 . His power to respond to their appeals , and to satisfy their wants. They who seek and find not are discouraged from further quest. It is never thus with those who apply to Jesus. Here the words hold good, "Seek, and ye shall find."

4 . His benevolent disposition renders it easy and congenial for those who seek good gifts to seek them here at the hands of Jesus; for in seeking him, the suppliant is seeking the gifts of his hands as well as the love of his heart. And our need and urgency are exceeded by his readiness to confer all real blessings.

APPLICATION . How should men seek Christ ?

1 . Sincerely and seriously. The sincere soul will seek, not his merely, but himself.

2 . In faith, not as doubting whether he may now be found, but as assured of his spiritual nearness.

3 . Seasonably, which is as much as to say, at once. "Now is the accepted time." We need him now, therefore we should seek him now.

4 . Perseveringly, "watching daily at his gates." It is a life-long quest, and, though he be found to-day, none the less must he be sought to-morrow. The "seeking" must be continued, until we see him as he is.