ASK TO RECEIVE, A Christian Contemplation

ASK TO RECEIVE
Two Questions That Can Change Your Life

A Commentary by Constance Vanides

"Seek the LORD while he may be found. Call upon Him while He is near."
(Isaiah 55:6)

Two curious questions followed by a command. That's what it took to make two men apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ.

John had just baptized Jesus, proclaiming, "...this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God. Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, 'Behold the Lamb of God!'" (John 1:33-36)

"The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. (John 1:37)
Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them,

'What do you seek?'" (The first question)
"They said to Him, 'Rabbi' (which is to say, when translated, Teacher),
'where are You staying?'" (The second question) (John 1:38)

"Come and see." (The command) "They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day." (John 1:39)

It wasn't where Jesus was staying that was so important, but rather who He was. When the disciples remained with Jesus for the day, their questions were answered. They were so convinced He was their Messiah that Andrew had to find his brother, Simon, in order to bring him the exciting news!

Tom and I were seeking God. We spent an entire afternoon in 1977 in awe of what God was doing through an evangelist at the people-packed Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. We watched and heard a man with no more than a fourth-grade education, proclaim the power of God to heal miraculously. People responded in the affirmative to the question, "Do you believe Jesus can heal you?" How else could this stranger point out their exact unspoken needs for healing unless God were with him? We were convinced God was showing us something. But what? We had a lot of questions as we left the gathering. "How did the evangelist know what the people's needs were?" "Why wasn't everyone healed?"

Our searching led us to read in the Bible, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3) We took that admonition to heart and spoke the words of salvation, confessing with our mouths the Lord Jesus, believing with our hearts that God has raised Him from the dead. (Romans 10:9)

As we persevere in seeking, Jesus shows us more. "And I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." (Luke 11:9,10)

"What do you seek?" Jesus continues to ask.

QUIET SUBMISSION
I speak to you
in the quiet of your spirit.
As you surrender more of yourself,
will I reveal more of who I am.
Be not anxious or strive on your own
to make this come about.
Only look and seek Me at all times.
I will be found through your stillness
and quiet submission.
Release your natural self
so it doesn't get in the way
of My direct line to you.
It can be easier than you think!