Keep Seeking
Have you ever opened your Bible, sat through a teaching, or listened to a sermon and thought, “I just don’t get it”?
You’re not alone.
Lack of understanding is often the reason we give for neglecting Bible reading, avoiding being part of a Bible study, or pulling away from church. Maybe you’re on the other side of things—teaching a class, leading a small group, preaching a message. You’ve prayed, prepared, and poured out truth from God’s Word only to be met with blank stares or polite nods. “I don’t really understand what you’re talking about,” they say.
Wherever you find yourself, you’re in good company.
The most relatable and dynamic teacher to ever speak about spiritual life was Jesus. After all, He was “the Word become flesh” (John 1:14). Yet even those closest to Him—His disciples—were often unclear about what He was teaching.
Here are just a few moments:
“But they did not understand what he was saying to them.” Luke 2:50 (NIV)
“But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.” Luke 9:45 (NIV)
“The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them.” Luke 18:34 (NIV)
“But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.” Mark 9:32 (NIV)
“Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.” John 10:6 (NIV)
Even Jesus’ most intimate friends and devoted followers were clueless at times.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
If you feel drawn to the truth of God’s Word but often struggle to make sense of the teaching, I want to encourage you—keep pursuing Him. Keep showing up. Keep listening. He rewards those who seek Him.
“Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, ‘We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.
The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.” Luke 18:31–34 (NIV)
The disciples followed Jesus to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover with Him. He gave them specific, detailed instructions to prepare for the meal. And yet, they still didn’t grasp the full significance of what was unfolding.
“And he said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.’
After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, ‘Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’” Luke 22:15-20 (NIV)
The phrase fully present comes to life in this moment.
Jesus—fully aware of what lay ahead—sat with His closest friends, committed to fulfilling the will of the Father.
They didn’t yet recognize that the Lamb of God was sitting at the table with them—that the blood He spoke of would soon be shed on their behalf. They missed the meaning in real time, but they kept following. Because something about Jesus was utterly compelling.
You don’t have to understand everything. You never will.
But if you’re willing to take one more step toward Him, He will lead you to a blood-stained cross and look at you through love-filled eyes and say, “My body, given for you. My blood, shed for you.”
