“What are you seeking?…
Follow me.”
These are the first and last words of Jesus in the Gospel of John.
What are you seeking?
Jesus answers that we are seeking something called glory; a certain recognition or value. Yet, when we desire glory from anyone or anything more than the glory God gives, we’ve made the most original mistake and built a barrier to following Jesus.
Jesus says, “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” – John 5:44
From this we learn two things:
First, belief is as much, if not more, a matter of the heart (desires) as it is of the head (thoughts).
Second, that heavenly glory we’re all seeking can come to us because it came through Jesus, the Man-from-Heaven himself.
Jesus goes on to say, “The glory that [God] has given me, I have given to [those who believe in me]” – John 17:22
This astounding, God-level, Heavenly glory has been made available to humanity at a price too high for any human to pay. But, the God-man paid. Jesus paid it all through his perfect life, atoning death, and life-giving resurrection!
Here's what that means – if you ask for Jesus to come and meet you, he will. If you talk to Jesus right now, he is listening. Seek Jesus and you will find Jesus – the friend of sinners.
So, humanity is seeking glory and it ultimately comes through Jesus. And it is this same Jesus who also says “follow me.”
Finding all your heart was made for leads to following all your heart was made for.
Jesus asks us to follow him together in his church; to live life together with other followers of Jesus. You can do that in many places around the world and here on the Central Coast – Antioch Church is one of those places.