September 14 - The Correct Response of Souls Seeking Jesus - Devotional

GracetoYou.org ^ | 2008 | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

[metmom]

“Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, ‘What do you seek?’ They said to Him, ‘Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come, and you will see.’ So they came and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour” (John 1:38–39).

As Andrew and John walked after Him, “Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, ‘What do you seek?’” He already knew what the two wanted. The Lord asked the question to challenge them to consider their motives. He did not ask them who they were seeking, but what they were seeking.

By asking “Where are You staying?” Andrew and John were not just asking where He was staying; they were courteously requesting an extended private interview with Him. The question also signaled their willingness to become His disciples.

Jesus’ immediate response, “Come, and you will see,” was the invitation Andrew and John were hoping for. Jesus knew their hearts, that they were honest, sincere seekers.

John does not record what they discussed that memorable evening, but the Lord undoubtedly “opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45). Whatever He said was enough to persuade them that He was indeed Israel’s Messiah, as Andrew’s excited testimony to his brother Peter the next day indicates (John 4:40–41).

In your service to Christ, be sure your motives are pure. Otherwise the Lord will know.

Ask Yourself

“What do you seek?” is a good question for us to ask ourselves as we approach the Lord, challenging our motives. What would you say you are seeking Him for? And if you’re not finding it, is it because you’re seeking amiss or for the wrong reasons—or perhaps seeking something God knows you don’t need?

From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com.

[metmom]

Religion Forum threads labeled “Devotional: Devotional threads are closed to debate of any kind.

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[metmom]

Studying God’s Word ping

[marron]

It just so happens that the what is a who. :)

[metmom]

And most people don’t realize that.

[SouthernClaire]

You got that right, Marron.

We seek Him because it’s Him, and we will never be full or satisfied without Him.

[Bob434]

Interesting note. Jesus was considered a semikah rabbi, who was far more skilledthan a normal rabbi, who had to know just 5 books, by heart, thoroughly, of the Torah. The semikah rabbi had to know the entire old testament, the tanahka.

The semikah also taught NEW concepts, whereas normal rabbis could only teach accepted concepts. This is what set Jesus apart from a normal rabbi. He said “you have heard it said... but I say unto you”, he was teaching new “Christian Concepts” thatnthey hadn’t heard before.

—You shall not murder, but I say to you, don’t hate. (Matthew 5:21-26)
—You shall not commit adultery, but I say to you don’t lust. (Matthew 5:27-32)

And so on.

Also, whenever God spoke and said wt the begging of what he was about to say “Amen”, the word affirmed that what he was about tk say was absolute trustworthy truth. (When we say “Amen” AFTER God’s word is read to us, we are affirming that what God has just said is absolutely trustworthy and true, and can be re,ied upon to come true or to be a truth from which we can draw strength of faith from.

Another interesting side note is that Jesus’s disciples all asked “is it I Lord?” When Jesus said one woild betray hi. Judas however said “Is it I rabbi”- the disciples called Jesus? Ord indicating he was their lord and master in addition. Tl teacher, judas however only called him rabbi, and may have very well meant ‘normal rabbi’, not Semika rabbi. This little fact likely highlighted the difference in beleifs between judas and the other disciples.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

“In your service to Christ, be sure your motives are pure. Otherwise the Lord will know.”

Please expand on this statement...in a devotional style.

[metmom]

I guess when you are the author of the books, you do kind of have them memorized.

[metmom]

I guess it gets back to what Jesus said about the pharisees, for example.

They did their works for the praise of man and that was their reward.

Don’t let you right hand know what your left hand is doing, and when you are doing some spiritual exercise, like fasting, don’t make it obvious.

[Salvavida]

This one hits hard. Thx.

[Elsie]

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

Luke 18:13 KJV

[Elsie]

I think that HE’d know, no matter what!

[ViLaLuz]

Thanks for that. I learned about semikah today.
https://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/13412-semikah

[ViLaLuz]

Excellent, Sister. Thank you!

[MurphsLaw]

Bob, just some context-
As the poster above noted...
Semikah is the name of the Jewish ordination ritual- that passed on spiritual, authoritative teaching- to another-by the "laying on of hands" traced back to Genesis and Exodus.
It's not so much a designation or label- as it is the process of conferring a spiritual continuity.
The Word Rabbi back then meant "master"- ("The Master has need of it") not so much like today's jewish Rabbi and synagogue leader.
The role of Jewish Rabbi would evolve or come later after the Temple was destroyed 70AD, - as Rabbinical Judiaism then replaced the Sacrificial offering of the the Jewish priesthood in the Temple- from the line of Aaron -
Although oddly enough, that specific genetic DNA of the Levite can be traced back even to this day.
Though translations do use "Rabbi"- other Bible translations will use elder, or Teacher or Master for Jesus-
What is very worthy of your noting the Semikah ritual-
Is that is how St. PAUL and others would build the early Church- by the laying on of hands... and that still goes on to this day ....Amazing...