Whom Are You Seeking?

People want direction and meaning in life. As we grow, we generally imitate what is modeled by our families, but sometimes branching into other pathways and assessing alternate philosophies of life. Whichever way we choose, the impetus behind the search is to answer two basic questions: 1) Where am I going in life? and 2) How do I get there? Once a course is set, changes are made along the way as we refine our understanding in the light of new information and circumstances. This is especially true when our lives have been greatly affected in a spiritual way. Two such occasions are recounted in the Gospel of John: two scenarios in which people had been greatly affected by God’s intervention but were faced with unsettling circumstances and decisions. Searching for answers, they met an inquiring Jesus.

Intrigued
John, the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, had made a following for himself. Living in the countryside, he looked like a fanatic dressed in his camel hair garment, eating only locust and wild honey, yet he struck a cord with his call to repentance. The Jewish elite did not know what to make of him, asking outright if he was Elijah or another prophet: they wanted to know if he was safe. Indeed, he was not. As they approached in what was certainly a feigned act of piety to demonstrate their self-made righteousness, John called them a “brood of vipers.”

Two who had become John’s disciples, Andrew and another unnamed, at some point heard the Baptizer speak of another in a most remarkable way:

Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour). (John 1:35–39)

These two disciples had already recognized their sinful selves before a holy God and were received by John through their confession with baptism; but now John is pointing all to One who, by virtue of the title proclaimed, had a divine mission that transcended John’s ministry. The difficulty was knowing how to engage Jesus, but He began by asking what they were looking for.

Crushed
Throughout His ministry, Jesus had met and healed many people from various ailments. While many were sent back to their friends and family as a witness, others followed Jesus to assist in whatever might be needed. One of these followers was a woman of little notoriety. All we know of her is her name, hometown, and what Jesus had done for her—Mary Magdalene from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons. Grateful for what had been done, Mary was one of a small group of women who agonized nearby as Jesus was nailed to a cross, died, and buried. Their world had been turned upside-down. To make matters worse, when the women went to the tomb for final burial wrappings, they found it opened with the the body missing. What else could it be but goons sent to desecrate the remains? Then Jesus comes to her.

But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” (John 20:11–15)

Searching and being found
What were they looking for? Did the two disciples or Mary even know? Was it a prophet who would turn hearts to God? Was it a teacher to show them the way more correctly? Was it a healer who would ease the suffering of a world groaning under the effects of the curse? Was it a martyr to serve as a rallying point? Was it a friend who loved without reservation? Somehow I doubt they had any idea. They were not sure what they were looking for. All they understood was the import of the moment: something had to be done, and they were seeking an answer. Wonderfully, the answer was more than they could ask or think. What they sought found them and chose them as His own. They found the teacher, healer, etc. and so much more: they found a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.