“Seekers” … People who are checking out the claims of Christ, of Christianity, and the lives of those who claim to “follow Christ” and deciding whether or not they will embrace Jesus Christ in faith and decide to follow Him as their Savior and Lord.
They’re all around us! They come from all walks of life – all religious (or irreligious) backgrounds – from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. And we who are Christians have a responsibility to accurately represent Jesus to them (and His claims) without distortion in the power of the Holy Spirit. We certainly do not want them to draw wrong conclusions about our Lord and Savior! After all they’re checking Him out – they’re making decisions about whether or not to follow Him!
There were two key “seekers” who encountered Jesus… He responded perfectly to them… And I think how He responded to them is an example for us… Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. We don’t know a lot about Joseph, but he was obviously checking out not only what Jesus taught – he was also checking out what He did – His life and ministry. Nicodemus, on the other hand, looked Jesus up and engaged him in a wonderful, life-changing, conversation (check out their conversation in John 3:1-21)
And the result? Both of them declared themselves – they “came out of the closet” for Jesus when “push came to shove” – when taking a stand required faith and commitment! Here’s their story from the Bible (I read it this morning during “Coffee with the Lord”)…
“After these things [the crucifixion] Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they [both of them] took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there [and according to Matthew 27:57-60 it was Joseph’s own tomb!].” (From John 19:38–42 ESV)
Gotta tell you, I want to live in such a way as a follower of Jesus that others are attracted to Him, want to follow Him, and make quality decisions to follow Him!
What the Bible says was a big deal to Jesus (and should be to us)! He treated Scripture with the highest integrity and sought to fulfill what it prophesied to the most exacting detail! I was so impressed with this emphasis today in my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord!” Even in his dying hours at the crucifixion you find these words…
“When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one peace from top to bottom, so they said to one another ‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” THIS WAS TO FULFILL THE SCRIPTURE WHICH SAYS, ‘They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.’” (Fulfillment of Psalm 22:18)
And how about this one (found in the next verses in John)… “After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (TO FULFILL THE SCRIPTURE), ‘I thirst!’ (fulfilling Psalm 69:21) A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished!’ and bowed His head and gave up His Spirit.” Think about it, His concern, even in that excruciating moment was the fulfillment of Scripture.
One more… same context. Even in His death, the bones of Jesus were not broken and His side was pierced. The Bible says, “These things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: ‘Not one of his bones will be broken!” (Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; and Psalm 34:20 fulfilling the imagery, as the “Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world” of the “Passover Lamb!”) and another Scripture that says, ‘They will look on the one they have pierced. (fulfillment of Zechariah 12:10)’”
(All of these instances are found in John 19)
Is it any wonder then, that you find these words in Jesus’ mouth… “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:17–19)
I just want to say… I want to hold the Bible in the same high regard as my Savior, Jesus Christ, and expect, and commit myself, to its complete fulfillment just as He did!
