The Sincere Seeker
Theologians debate whether one can truly be a “seeker” of God. Some believe that humanity is unable to seek God in their spiritually dead condition. Yet I have met many people who genuinely desire to know more about God who were likely being drawn by God. Their sincere questioning, humility, and response to truth signal that they are seekers.
I remember (with much joy) one such man who came from a specific Jewish background with which I was unfamiliar at the time. We were in the same place at the same time when he stayed at a hostel in Israel where I was part of the staff welcoming guests.
I struck up a conversation which quickly turned toward spiritual matters when I asked if he had a belief in anything. After he explained his beliefs, I was excited to share that we agreed on the authority of the Scriptures and our responsibility to learn from them. I referred to Deuteronomy 30:11-14.
Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?”
Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
“Did you know,” I asked, “that a former Pharisee connected ‘the word’ referred to in this passage to confessing faith in Jesus?” I shared that the apostle Paul quoted these verses to explain that “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” Romans 10:9-10. He responded with curious silence.
The following day I asked him, “How will you recognize the Messiah, the Son of David?” He quickly responded, “He will teach the Torah like no one ever has, explaining it perfectly.”
He agreed to let me share these verses from the New Testament:
When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes (Matthew 7:28-29).
He said, “That is what I believe the Messiah will do! Can we talk again later?” We did, and God gave me words and verses as I shared the gospel.
I took the opportunity to share the Good News with him when I recognized his humility and willingness to engage in dialogue that involved listening and responding rather than arguing and debating. He was a true seeker.
Written by Jeff,
Life in Messiah staff in Israel
