22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. 23 Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.
The crowds, industriously seeking Jesus, were certainly at a loss regarding His whereabouts. They had watched as He had compelled His disciples to board the boat and head off leaving Him behind. They had seen Jesus retreating to the mountaintop after dismissing the crowds to go off by Himself to pray. What they had not been privy to, was the miracle of Jesus’ walking on water - in the middle of the night - in the midst of the wild waves. Some things Jesus allows only those closest to Him to experience – which could be any of us, by the way, if we are but willing to go further still with Him. Scripture tells us:
2 "This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it--the LORD is his name: 3 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' Jer 33:2-3 (NIV)
There is certain satisfaction to be found in searching for the Savior either for our salvation or for our growing up in Him, who is the Head. His call is for all to come to Him – the promise being clear for those who seek – they find. The prophet Jeremiah tells us:
12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. Jer 29:12-14 (NIV)
Just as a little one securely seeks its parents for provision, protection and pleasure, in like manner, God desires for us to ask, seek and knock as well. Jesus tells us in Matthew:
7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matt 7:7-11 (NIV)
The “good gift” mentioned in verse eleven is the Holy Spirit – being, of course, the Ultimate Gift. Luke confirms this Truth in his gospel:
13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Luke 11:13 (NIV)
“We have but to want Him badly enough and He will come and manifest Himself to us.” A.W. Tozer
Jesus emphasizes to us in the Sermon on the Mount the importance of seeking Him first. Considering the multitudes of distractions in our day and age, it is good for us to revisit this Truth:
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matt 6:33 (NIV)
“He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts.” A.W. Tozer
Jesus has also promised that He would not leave us as orphans and that He would come to those who had His commands and obeyed them - our love for Jesus being revealed by our obedience to Him. The effect of having an encounter with Jesus – of nearness to Him - leaves His servant in humility, in happiness and in holiness.
15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." John 14:15-21 (NIV)
“The Lord Jesus gives special revelations of Himself to his people. Even if Scripture did not declare this, there are many of the children of God who could testify the truth of it from their own experience. They have had manifestations of their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in a peculiar manner, such as no mere reading or hearing could afford. In the biographies of eminent saints, you will find many instances recorded in which Jesus has been pleased, in a very special manner to speak to their souls, and to unfold the wonders of His person; yea, so have their souls been steeped in happiness that they have thought themselves to be in heaven, whereas they were not there, though they were well nigh on the threshold of it – for when Jesus manifests Himself to his people, it is heaven on earth; it is paradise in embryo; it is bliss begun.” C.H. Spurgeon