Are you still searching, seeking, looking, and longing for something? Do you know what you need? Deep in the heart of every man, woman, and child is a longing for rest. One great African Christian many years ago said, “Our souls are restless until they find their rest in Thee.” But the question is, “Where can I find Him?” That is a most important question.
I want to help you END THE SEARCH. I take you to the Bible and the words of Jesus in John 7:32-39.
32 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.
33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.
34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.
35 Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?
36 What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
These words teach us what STEPS are necessary if we ever expect to end our search.
The first Step:
The Search is Clarified.
Time according to Jesus was very important. He said there is only a little while, “Yet a little while I am with you.” He was showing that time is limited. You can’t just waste time and expect to end your search. Jesus clarified the search. The time is now, not later.
The object is also important because there’s nobody like Jesus. He said, “You are going to seek for me and you will not be able to find me.” Oh yes, my friend, it is very, very important that you make the right search and that you have the right object in view. Believe me, time is important. The opportune time is now, not tomorrow; this very moment because Jesus said, “You are going to search for me (He said this to those Pharisees) and you are not going to be able to find me.” Men have often tried in vain; they have searched and searched but they have found no rest because they have not found Him.
My friend, today is your day to seek Jesus. I am glad to tell you that you can find Him. Ah, but you must search for Him while you can. You must be sure that the object of your search is Jesus Christ.
Well, Jesus clarified the search. But when He said what He did to clarify, they thought:
The Search is Mystified.
They said, “Where is He going to go? How can He say we cannot come to Him?” You see, human reason blocked their understanding. Their minds got in the way. He had come from God, you see, and they failed to understand that.
Some still fail to understand that. They still believe that Jesus did not come from God. But He said, “I’m going back to God.” On this occasion they did not understand where He was going. But He said, “I am going and you are not going to be able to come where I am.”
Let me point out something to you. Human existence is unqualified to go where Jesus is. The flesh has its limitation. Your bodily physical existence now is going to need to undergo some changes if you are going to go where He has gone. That is what these people did not understand.
There is another existence beyond the flesh. It comes after death. So in one sense we can say that Jesus mystified the search. He made it more difficult because they tried to reason out what He was saying. My friend, don’t let your mind block your search. Be sure that you understand that Jesus came from God and went back to God. That will clarify your search, not mystify it.
There is a final step to end your search:
The Search is Satisfied.
It was on that last great day of the feast when Jesus stood and gave that great invitation, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.” Well, everybody does thirst. I said in the beginning that in the heart of every man, woman and child there is a longing for rest. Jesus knew that. He said it this way, “If anyone thirst,” because He wanted that decision to rest with the thirsty one, “let him come and drink.” Let him submit himself and understand that he will find the end of his search right here by me.
There was a great invitation. There was also a great satisfaction because Jesus said that inner longing down deep in your heart will be satisfied when you come to Him. He said out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of water. His soul thirst will be satisfied. Praise the Lord!
Take Jesus’ words seriously if you want to end your search. You can come to Him, Jesus Christ, and when you do, that deep soul thirst inside of you will be satisfied. The search will end when you find Him. He can and will satisfy your innermost being. So you must come to Him now. Surrender to His invitation and in Him find rest for your soul.