What other Scriptures emphasize the importance of seeking Jesus with diligence? Diligence Before Dawn (Luke 24:1) • “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared.” • Their pre-dawn journey shows that wholehearted seekers do not wait for convenient moments; they move as soon as light appears. Echoes from the Law, Psalms, and Prophets • Proverbs 8:17 — “I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me early shall find Me.” • Psalm 63:1 — “O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You.” • Jeremiah 29:13 — “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” • Isaiah 55:6 — “Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.” The Lord’s Direct Invitations • Matthew 6:33 — “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” • John 12:21 — “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Even visiting Greeks understood that coming to Jesus required intentional effort. • Luke 19:3-4 — Zacchaeus “ran on ahead and climbed a sycamore tree” to see the Lord, illustrating creative diligence. Living Proof in the Gospels and Acts • Mary Magdalene (John 20:1) arrived at the tomb “while it was still dark.” • The Bereans (Acts 17:11) “examined the Scriptures every day” to confirm the truth about Christ. • Cornelius (Acts 10:33) gathered household and friends, saying, “We are all here in the presence of God to hear everything you have been commanded.” God’s Promise to Reward Seekers • Hebrews 11:6 — “He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” • Proverbs 8:17 again underscores that finding follows seeking. • Matthew 7:7-8 — “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” Cultivating Early, Earnest Pursuit Today • Begin the day with Scripture before other voices clamor for attention. • Prepare, as the women did, by bringing “spices” of worship, thanksgiving, and repentance. • Remove obstacles quickly—Zacchaeus climbed; the women wondered about the stone but kept walking. • Stay in the Word daily like the Bereans, expecting living answers from the risen Christ. |
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