Good morning. “Seeker” has long been a word used in church growth and evangelism circles to describe a person who knows that they need…something. The person in question may have tried a number of activities and remedies, but none of those have met their need. For the person being described, the most difficult part of being a “seeker” is not knowing what it is you seek. They know that there is something missing in their life, they know that other people seem to be doing better than themselves, or at least they are doing “okay”. These “seekers” know they have needs but they don’t even know what those needs are, let alone where to find what is necessary to meet their needs. For the “seekers” we are thinking of, the needs are spiritual, and they have reached a point where they are more open than they have been to spiritual truths about the reality of their needs and the desire of our Father God to meet those needs.
Sometimes, the seeker has purposefully avoided spiritual matters but suddenly may find themselves in a situation where divine help is the only answer. I think that was the situation in which a royal official found himself, as we read John 4:43-54. Jesus had begun His miraculous ministries in Cana, turning water into wine at a wedding. In John 4 we read that Jesus had returned to Cana in Galilee. Apparently, the royal official hadn’t been particularly impressed when Jesus turned the water into wine, or at least not enough to bring Him into a closer relationship with God through Jesus. But as we read John 4, we see that his situation had changed. The royal official had a son who was very sick. He had a high fever and was expected to die. When the man learned that Jesus had returned to the area, he suddenly became a “seeker”. Now that his personal need was very great and he had no other answers for meeting that need, he came to Jesus begging for help. We read in John 4:47-50 When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death. “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.” The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.”
The man’s son was healed the moment Jesus said those words. When this father, seeking divine help for his dying son, understood the truth, we read this: Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed.
The seeker’s need was met, but the healing was greater than that of his son regaining his health. The man, and his entire household, recognized the truth of the power of Jesus Christ.
We are surrounded by seekers every day. People who have unmet needs and who don’t know where to look for answers. It is our job to share the good news, reveal the truth of how Jesus’ love has changed and is changing our lives. They are seeking, may we do our best to help them find the answer!
Vern