Scripture Reference: Mark 2:1-12
Our Deepest Need – as People
The crowd that gathered around Jesus was made up of two principal groups of people, those friendly toward Him and those troubled by Him. The scribes were outwardly hostile toward Jesus. The rest were friendly toward Him or others simply curious about Him. There is one thing, however, they all, whether hostile or friendly, shared in common.
Why do you suppose people come to church today? There are perhaps many reasons, but I can think of a few of the more common ones. For a few people, there is no other place to be on Sunday but with God’s people in worship. Their love of Christ compels them to gather with God’s people to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord. They long for it and look forward to it.
For others coming to church is a matter of responsibility. They live with a tremendous sense of “obligation” about church attendance. Having made a commitment to Christ and His church, they feel obligated to attend whether they like it or experience much from it.
Since many of us are creatures of habit, I am sure there are some who come as a matter of habit. It’s part of their normal routine like getting up daily and going to work. There may be little thought or preparation about it. They’re so accustomed to coming that little, if any, investment is necessary.
It is hardly conceivable but humanly possible that a few go to church to keep from tarnishing an image or jeopardizing a social standing in the community. It is difficult for me to imagine this as a conscious motivation, but I am certain it must unconsciously motivate some persons to come to church. Sadly, there are some churches that are more social than spiritual.
These are perhaps only a few of the many reasons why people come to church but, I believe, beneath and behind all the possible motivations is the primary motivation, each of us longs to find God or, better still, be found by Him. The truth is, our deepest need is to know God personally. The “something unusual” we long for in worship is Someone whom we call God.
I was thinking back at a time my wife and I gathered at her parents house for a holiday dinner. Hers was a big extended family and there were always a lot of kids around and I loved interacting with them. I was pretty much just a big kid at heart. Since her parents had a big yard, the kids often loved playing “Hide and Seek.” I noticed an interesting thing as we played, however. Every time I was “it” the kids would always hide so they’d be sure I’d have no trouble finding them. If it appeared I was about to run past where they were hiding, they would giggle or clear their throats to make sure I would find them. I kept thinking to myself, Why do they want me to find them so quickly and easily? As I was thinking back, it was a perplexing thought until I remembered the story in Mark’s Gospel and the reason why so many people come to church. The real reason many people come to church is no different than that of the kids playing “Hide and Seek” with me. The children wanted me to find them just as each of us wants God to find us. There is no greater need which any of us have than the need to be found by God. I believe with all my heart that the message of this story is that our need to be found by the Father is met in and through Jesus Christ. Have you been found by Him, yet?
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 
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