The Search for Jesus

I recently read an article in Newsweek about the search for the "real" Jesus. The article compared and contrasted the orthodox Christian view of Jesus and that of the Gnostic philosophy on Jesus. It was apparent that the purpose of this article was to find Jesus somewhere. For some of us it may be a very purposeful inquiry. For me, the article in Newsweek could not have come at a more opportune time-Christmas.

If you look in the book of Luke you find a detailed account of the life and ministry of Jesus. Everything from the announcing of His arrival on earth to the announcement of His departure from the same place, can be found between the first and last chapter. For me, this Christmas season has uncovered a common theme within those chapters: search. You don't have to look very closely at the stories to understand that all of Jesus' life and ministry is spent being the object of those who are seeking to find something. Even before his earthly life began people were anticipating (or searching for) the Messiah who would set them free. Luke 1:67-79 recounts Zechariah's praise that the search was near over! Verse 70 makes mention of holy prophets long ago declaring the coming of Jesus and as we look at these prophetic verses we are reminded about their search ( see Jeremiah 23:1-8 for example). So even before the Christ child even entered the world through the virgin womb the search for Him was on in full force!

At the declaration of the Messiah's birth (Luke 2:11) the shephards practically dropped everything that was "important" at the time and set out to find this Messiah whom they would identify by the swaddling cloths and manger. At the completion of their search they were overwhelmed with glory and praise (2:20). As Jesus' life progressed He once became the object of searching even for his parents as He strolled over the temple to declare the teachings of the Lord. His parents were understandably upset both at the fact that there son was missing and at his apparent lack of concern and disdain for their lack of understanding his true purpose on earth. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"(2:49). It was apparent that they did not understand their son, nor His purpose, but being fair to Mary and Joesph, who really could? My guess is that if we are truly knew the depth of which Jesus was sent our lives would be radically different.

The rest of the book of Luke is riddled with accounts of people searching for Jesus-too many to list here. Their searching, in some cases, was not enveloped in a desire to meet Jesus the person, but to recieve the gift He brought to those so oppressed by pain, infirmity, guilt, greed, and hate. People desired to attain the freedom that Jesus imparted to those who were willing to recieve it. Take for example the hemmoraging women in the crowd in Luke 8:40. It was not the person-the flesh and blood carpenter-that the woman desired. This woman desired only to be in the presence, in fact maybe only to have the ability to touch the hem on His garment, and in so doing recieve the freedom that Jesus graciously handed to all those who would recieve it by faith.

Perhaps the most joyous time of searching was done by Mary Magdalene and then by the disciples as the empty tomb sit staring them in the face. What in the world could have happened to Jesus' body? The confusion sent them all into a tailspin of emotions, some remembering Jesus' promise to return, some blinded by the weight of the moment. Nevertheless, Jesus appeared to His disciples, ending the search in Luke 24:36-49. Verse 50-53 recounts when Jesus then ascended into heaven where He sits to this day. So the question is, are you searching for Jesus?

The smarty-pants in me wants to say "No. I know right where He is, in heaven." But upon careful examination of my life you might question why my lifestyle and priorities do not support the way I react to that question. You see if I know right where Jesus is, then there is no reason whatsoever that I should be searching for the freedom that only He can give in other arenas in life. You see, we live in a culture that thrives on trying new things, expanding horizons, deepening experiences, and having a generally liberal attitude towards all things great and small. We strive to find freedom in the friends we have, the job we hold, or the thickness of the wallet in our pocket. We search and search and search and search for that one more thing that we need to do or have or experience before our lives are all we ever hoped and dreamed they'd be. And you know what always happens? It falls short of our expectations. It doesn't fulfill the purpose we intended it to fulfill, so we continue to search in a vicious cycle of self-fulfillment.

The Christmas season is about finding Jesus. Where are you searching for Him?