Have You Found What You're Looking For?
In Luke chapter 2, the angels brought the message of the newborn Savior to a group of shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night.
After the angels left, the shepherds said…
…Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. Luke 2:15
Then, in the very next verse we read:
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. Luke 2:16
Question: What are some things that people are looking for? What is it that you are looking for? Have you found it?
In 1987, the Irish rock band, U2, released a song that became the band's second consecutive number-one single on the US Billboard Hot 100 while peaking at number six on the UK Singles Chart. In 2010, the Rolling Stone magazine placed this song at #93 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. One publication, about this song, wrote:
[It]…exhibits influences from gospel music and its lyrics describe spiritual yearning.
Several publications…called the [song] "hypnotic" and interpreted it as depicting the band on a spiritual quest.
The name of the song? I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For?
Some of the lyrics:
I have spoke with the tongue of angels I have held the hand of a devil It was warm in the night I was cold as a stone
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
I believe in the kingdom come Then all the colors will bleed into one Bleed into one But yes I'm still running
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
You broke the bonds And you loosed the chains Carried the cross Of my shame Oh my shame You know I believe it
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
I would like to suggest that, if you haven’t found what you’re looking for, than one of several things is possible:
You’ve listened to the wrong person for advice in finding what it is that you’re looking for.
You’re looking for the wrong thing.
You’re looking in the wrong place.
That night, the shepherds listened to the angels.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10
God has given us something much better than angel messengers to point us in the right direction. He has given us 1) His word and 2) the Holy Spirit.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 16:13
That night, the shepherds were looking for a Savior.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
A Saviour; a Deliverer. Someone who rescues something/someone from danger or violence.
Jesus Christ, through His death, burial, and resurrection, is able to rescue us from sin and the resulting danger of judgment.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21
That night, the shepherds looked in the right place.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. Luke 2:15
The shepherds found what they were searching for; they found the Messiah and they rejoiced! They were not disappointed!
Barney Warren, around the turn of the 20th century, wrote one of the hymns in our hymnal, It Is Joy Unspeakable:
I have found His grace is all complete, He supplieth ev’ry need; While I sit and learn at Jesus’ feet, I am free, yes, free indeed.
I have found the pleasure I once craved, It is joy and peace within; What a wondrous blessing! I am saved From the awful gulf of sin.
I have found that hope so bright and clear, Living in the realm of grace; Oh, the Savior’s presence is so near, I can see His smiling face.
I have found the joy no tongue can tell, How its waves of glory roll! It is like a great o’erflowing well, Springing up within my soul.
Regardless of what you find - or don’t find -under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning, I can assure you that everything you could ever hope to find in this life can only be found in Jesus Christ
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive. Jeremiah 29:11-14
In 1875, hymn writer Clara Tear Williams penned these words:
All my life long I had panted For a draught from some cool spring, That I hoped would quench the burning Of the thirst I felt within.
Feeding on the husks around me, Till my strength was almost gone, Longed my soul for something better, Only still to hunger on.
Poor I was, and sought for riches, Something that would satisfy, But the dust I gathered round me Only mocked my soul’s sad cry.
Well of water, ever springing, Bread of life, so rich and free, Untold wealth that never faileth, My Redeemer is to me.
Hallelujah! I have found Him Whom my soul so long has craved! Jesus satisfies my longings; Through His life I now am saved.
I would challenge you to compare the words of that hymn to the words of the U2 song, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For.
You will find that both depict a searching - a desire to find something. However, their outcomes are very much different. In the one, they still haven't found what they are looking for whereas in the other she had found what she was looking for.
Whatever you are looking for, it can be found in Jesus Christ. And, if you're still looking, please click over here to hear, from the Bible how you can find Him!
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