When Jesus Seeks…

“Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, ’Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ He answered, ’And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?’ Jesus said to him, ’You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.’ He said, ‘Lord, I believe,’ and he worshiped him” (John 9:35-38, ESV).

Did you experience seeking or looking for something or someone? Still remember the feeling when you found what you’re searching for?

And how about an instance that someone was seeking for you? How did you feel, when you realized someone was looking for you?

We were informed that more than 100 persons in Israel were kidnapped by the Hamas. They were taken to unknown location(s) in Gaza. Of course, the Israeli Defense Forces would surely seek for them. And the abducted victims would be greatly encouraged to know that help is coming. But, suppose instead of being rescued, they would be among the victims of missiles aimed to destroy the enemies?

Perhaps, if not all, at least others be rescued.

We are familiar with the words of Jesus that He “came to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10). Who are these persons He was seeking? What would exactly happen to them? Would everyone of them be saved?

This time, let’s proceed to discuss our topic, WHEN JESUS SEEKS…, as we focus on our text (John 9:35-38).

What do you think would happen, if Jesus Himself would be looking for someone?

In the first seven verses of chapter 9, in the book of John, written by the Apostle John, who addressed himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved, we learned at least three ways how Jesus radiated His light or manifested His Goodness. He elevated the purpose of tragedy. He performed the works of God. And He employed different means to bless.

Now, in our text, we would concentrate on two points that would happen, when Jesus seeks for you. What are those?

I – YOU WOULD BE FOUND (verse 35A).

We read the first part of verse 35, “Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him...”

Who was this person who had been cast out?

We read in previous verses (26-34):

“They said to him, ‘What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?’ He answered them, ’I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?’ And they reviled him, saying, ‘You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.’ The man answered, ‘Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.’ They answered him, ’You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?’ And they cast him out” (verses 26-34).

The Pharisees were interrogating the man. He was the man born blind man who was healed by Jesus. Again, they asked him how Jesus opened his eyes. So, the man replied, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” His words caused the Pharisees to revile him. But the man did not feel insulted. Rather, he pointed out to the Pharisees what they failed to see or understand. And the Pharisees were the ones who felt insulted.

So, they cast the man out. They excommunicated him from Israel’s worshiping community.

And in that state of man’s rejection, the Bible did not show how he felt. But it revealed that it came to the attention of Jesus. “Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him…”

Of course, before the words, “having found him,” it implied that when the man was cast out, Jesus searched out for him. He sought for him. He was looking for the man and did not stop doing so. Until he found him and talked to him.

When Jesus seeks, He finds.

The man could already see physically, but when he was cast out, perhaps, he could not see bright days ahead of him. He could entertain the thought that he deserved what happened to him. He was not in the position to teach the Pharisees. He did not protest or justify, when he was accused that he was “born in utter sin.”