Jesus (Messiah) Found

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”). [John 1.40-41]

Part of the ministry of John the Baptist and his disciples (Andrew was one of them) was to seek for the Messiah. They were in search of the Messiah. According to John's own words, he was baptizing to find the Messiah (what?):

I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel. [John 1.31]

Of course, in the following verse John confirmed that Jesus fit the description God had given him to recognize the Messiah:

Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.” [John 1.32-34]

So, Jesus has been found out.

But there is something important that we must recognize ourselves. People are still seeking Jesus.

How do people see Jesus and recognize Him today?

Through the lives of those who are His. At least, that is the way it is supposed to be. 

Our lives should reflect Jesus so clearly that the world will see and recognize Him. If we are to follow the lead of our Lord, then our first revelation of Him to the world will be in baptism. After that, well... most of us know the story, but few ever truly reflect Jesus through the day-to-day events in which Jesus clearly demonstrated His authority over the world (at a normal "life event", a wedding for example, Jesus turned water into wine).

However, Jesus' real ministry did no begin until He had spent some serious time in fasting an prayer (40 days in the wilderness) which led to the devil's temptations intended to disqualify Jesus. 

Question: How did anyone know what took place in the wilderness where Jesus was tempted by the devil? There are a couple of possibilities. One, is that Jesus did not go alone but was attended by one or more disciples. The problem with this is that we have no indication that Jesus had any disciples at this time. The next possibility is that Jesus Himself told His disciples about it later - and, this is what I believe. I firmly believe Jesus told His followers about this wilderness temptation experience as a personal testimony.

Jesus gave us every tool to look like Him in the earth. We have His story - the accounts of what He did, His teachings that provided the basis for all He did, His testimony (Who else but Jesus Himself told about His temptations?), and His Spirit to seal the deal. In other words, if we are looking for Him, He is easily found.

The problem most of us face is that we don't actively and consistently seek Him. And, without Him, we are hopelessly tossed about with every circumstance that comes our way.

Jesus is found by those who seek Him. But what about those who don't?

Father, as I read the New Testament this year (and particularly the Gospels, please help me to find Jesus - more of Jesus than ever before! And, having found Him, let my life be daily transformed into His image for the world to see.