In Matthew 2:1-12 we read about the wise men that came from the east to Jerusalem saying, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews?" When they saw the young child Jesus with Mary His mother they fell on there kneels, and worshipped Him and presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. In Luke 2:43-50, Joseph and Mary the parents of Jesus had to turn back again to Jerusalem, seeking and looking for their son Jesus because they had disconnected from Him. Some people who love Jesus may have got disconnected. They ought to turn back to restore their relationship. You'd probably find Jesus in the temple, sitting amid the doctors, hearing them and asking them questions. But be very careful because in the temples today some are merchants, fame-seekers, religious leaders who wouldn't enter into Jesus' kingdom nor allow others. In Sunday school, we had been routinely taught to find Jesus through confessing our sins, repenting from them, praying and reading the Bible. Yes, we can also find Jesus in the scriptures, the Bible.
Nicodemus a Pharisees and a ruler of the Jews also came looking for Jesus by night. Nicodemus probably had watched Jesus, (as many have been watching Emmanuel.tv all over the places). He would have listened to His teaching and His power and came to the conclusion that "no man can do these miracles that thou does, except God be with him". Jesus taught us many lessons from this night visit. Jesus said, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit". We need a rebirth and that God loves the world and gives His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Jesus should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Zacchaeus a Chief Tax Collector also wanted to see who Jesus was. Zacchaeus being a short man in status could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus since He was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, He looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed Jesus gladly, (Luke 19:1-10). The religious leaders mocked at Jesus saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up to the call for repentance and becoming a changed man.
Today many other individuals or groups of people are looking for Jesus, but each for very different reasons. Most of these are looking for Him for the very wrong reasons. Just like in Jesus' day, the Jews were looking for Jesus so they could kill Him. Jesus spoke in very simple but authoritative language, He reached out to hurting people. He was also known to be a friend of sinners. Jesus' basic message is "Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand". We are supposed to, "Keep ourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life", (Jude 1:21). Instead of that, the teachings of Jesus irritated the Jewish leaders and they regarded Him a threat and a Public Enemy Number One. They got Him arrested and nailed Him on a tree. Today, some people also hate Jesus Christ, and by extension true Apostolic prophets like Prophet TB Joshua of SCOAN. The teaching coming from SCOAN is very simply, bringing people out for confession, deliverance and receiving a new life in Christ Jesus, almost always immediately. SCOAN's altar call is unique, effective, excellent and real and not a ritual of it.
Another group of people was looking for Jesus because of the great signs He had performed. They sensed that something big was about to happen. But it was not what these people thought. They thought Jesus would free them from the tyranny of Rome. Whilst Jesus came to conquer sin and death this group thought Jesus had come to conquer Rome. He did not come to make war with Rome; instead, He came to make peace between God and man. These people misunderstood His mission. They were looking for Jesus, but they wanted Him on their terms. Many groups are in this class looking for Jesus they can use quickly as magic or charm, prosperity gospel teachers, measuring rewards as answers to prayer people. Yes Jesus is rich but He will tell us to "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you", (Matthew 6:33).
The Christmas Jesus seekers can also form another class of their own. At Christmas, many people will celebrate Jesus’ birth with decoration and funfair, but live the rest of the year as though He never came. They want God in their lives, but they want Him on their terms. They are looking for the plastic Jesus they can hang around as part of the furniture in the house. When they lose their Jesus the police can assist them to recover such property. Christmas also brings high sales to some people and the only reason to look forward to it.
Peradventure we are still undecided about who Jesus is and need to read more of Him in the scriptures. Jesus has many names and many titles, each for unique purposes and His roles. For example, in Revelation chapter 1 Jesus is Christ, the Faithful Witness, the First Begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty, the First and the Last, etc. He is also called The Word of God, the KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS,(Revelation 19:13, 16). That Jesus "being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself. . . God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father", (Philippians 2:6-13).
Hence, beloved, you need to work out your salvation with fear and trembling by looking for Jesus to follow Him. God shall work in you both to will and do of His good pleasure. In John Chapter 6 a great multitude followed Jesus because they saw His miracles which He did on them that were diseased. Jesus also fed them. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, "This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world". Jesus perceived that they would come and take Him by force, to make Him a king. Hence He departed into a mountain Himself alone. The people of this world are looking for a champion, a leader, a celebrity, a worldly figurehead to build another city, to fight their wars, to rescue them from the consequences of their own mistakes, etc. Some others asked Jesus, "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said unto them, "This is the work of God that ye believe on Him Whom He hath sent". Jesus is the one looking for us. He told Apostle John, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him and will sup with him, and he with me", (Revelation 3:20). Emmanuel!!!
Prof. R. A. Ipinyomi, University of Ilorin, Nigeria
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