“What” or “Whom” are you looking for?

By Helen Jesze, 11^th September 2020

Paul the Apostle, a seasoned Christian, often in persecutions and many trials and now in a Roman prison, writes to his beloved, much younger son in the Faith, Timothy. In the same chapter while he writes of some who have forsaken him and turned away, perhaps in disgust or fear that they might also be arrested, there was another Brother, who sought him out when he was in Rome and greatly helped him. But in spite of these reactions, he states that he, himself, is not ashamed of being in bonds for his Lord. He then goes on to give the reason for this confidence.

He did not say he was confident because of certain facts, experiences or circumstances, although some of those might have been true. He did not believe that any of those or a ‘thing’ could help him. His certainty was because he had believed in Him “whom” – the Lord Jesus Christ. It was not a “what” but a “whom” – a Person – that had persuaded him, and given him a rock-solid basis. Because of the faithfulness of this Saviour, that Paul had experienced so many times, he knew that what he had committed to Him, would be guarded and kept safe.

What had Paul committed to His Saviour? His life, his ministry, his daily walk, his will, his questions – these were being closely guarded by loving hands. The basis of trusting in “whom” and not “what”, sprang out of Paul’s vibrant relationship with Jesus, not cold facts.

Mary, broken-hearted at the death of her Master, stands weeping, staring in amazement at the now empty tomb, John 20, 11-15. Two angels tell her that Jesus has risen. She turns away, not comprehending their message, still looking for His body, and sees someone standing there, who asks her: “Woman, why are you crying so? For Whom are you looking?” (Amplified Bible) Thinking it is the gardener, Mary asks where he has put Jesus’ body. In great compassion and love, the Man replies, “Mary!” Nobody ever spoke her name like that! She immediately knows it is her Lord and is filled with joy that He is alive again!

Jesus did not say to Mary, “What…” but “For Whom are you looking?” In the complexities of Life, He must become “Whom” and not “what” to us. Our answers are found in Him and His Word, not in what other people might tell us about Him, or what the world and their values might say. As our relationship with Him deepens, so will our certainty in Him become stronger. Paul wrote from the perspective of suffering in prison, Mary from her sorrow and grief that the One who had set her free from demon power, was now dead, and she could not imagine Life without Him.

What about us today? Are you looking for or trusting in a thing, a fact? Or have you found Him “Whom” your soul loves, and are persuaded that He will keep and guard all you have committed to Him, until the Day when you meet Him?

You may say: “That’s all very well, but I need a job and a house, something tangible, not spiritual. I couldn’t pay my bills last week and the future looks so dark!” Even in the legitimate things of everyday, here too, let’s stop looking for things and seek after Him first with all of our heart, and He promises us, then we will find Him, and He will help us in all of our needs!

“Woman… For Whom are you looking?”