PRIORITIZING REASONS FOR SEEKING JESUS
The biblical Word of God says: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33NLT). Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4NIV). When you delight in the Lord your heart’s highest priority is what Jesus said, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).
The Bible shows there may be right and wrong prioritization of reasons in seeking the Lord Jesus Christ.
WRONG PRIORITIES FOR SEEKING JESUS
TEMPORAL WORLDLY BENEFITS. Many people followed Jesus because they sought the temporal benefits of the miracles he did;
A great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick.
After the people saw the signs Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
On another occasion, when Jesus had miraculously fed over five thousand people with two fish and five small of bread, he said: “I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” (John 6).
POWER AND EARTHLY POSITION. On the Psalm Sunday Jesus rode into Jerusalem, many people cried, “Hosanna! Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord!” (John 12:13)
Many Jews sought to make Jesus their king on earth, believing he would free them from the oppressive rule of Rome (John 6:15). They saw Jesus as a king like David, who was a ruler and conqueror (Luke 1:32). They did not see him coming into the world to be king of people are born again of the Spirit of God (John 3: 5-6); and whose kingdom “is not of this world (John 18:36). They fail to understand that he came to rule in the hearts of those believed in and obeyed him (Luke 17:20-21; Romans 14:17; Matthew 7:21). When Jesus failed to meet their expectations, religious leaders who envied his popularity, led the people in calling for the Roman governor to “Crucify him! Crucify him” ( John 19:6).
MONEY AND RECOGNITION. Like many other Jewish people, Judas, one of Jesus closest disciples,apparently believed that the Jews would make Jesus their king. And being his disciple, he would be in a position of earthly power, recognition and wealth. When Jesus’ kingdom on earth did not materialize, Judas went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” For the religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus because they were envious of his popularity (Mathew 27). So they counted out for Judas thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to betray him to the religious leaders. (Matthew 26:14-16).
RIGHT PRIORITIES FOR SEEKING THE LORD
FORGIVENESS OF SIN. A woman who was recognized as having many sins, sought the Lord for forgiveness and salvation; and to show her thankfulness. She came and knelt at Jesus’ feet, cried, washed his feet with her tears, dried his feet with hair and anointed them with precious perfume. Jesus forgave all of her sins (Luke 7:47-48).
BE HIS FOLLOWER . Some of Jesus’ disciples chose to follow the Lord, when others walked away from him (John 6:67-68). Some, like Stephen, the first deacon of the Church, were willing to suffer and even die to follow the Lord (Acts 7:54-60; Matthew 16:24-25).
SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE. “Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God… not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:1-2).
BECOME LIKE CHRIST. Paul wrote about desiring to be like Christ (Philippians 3:10); and being conformed to the likeness of Jesus, with the help of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:29; John 14:16). In doing God the Father’s will Jesus always did what pleased the Father. In pleasing the Father rather than himself, Jesus chose to even agonize and died on a cross for our sins.
WE SHOULD LOVE OUR LORD GOD ABOVE ALL ELSE
We ought to love the Lord because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). He has gone to prepare a place for us, and is coming again to take us to live with God in heaven forever John 14:2-3). We should pray that God enables us with the help of the Holy Spirit to love the Lord as he loves us (John !4:15-16). Our greatest priority should be to love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with all our heart, soul and mind (Luke 10:27).
