Sir, We Would See Jesus
“Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the
feast: these therefore came to Phillip,who was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and
asked him saying, Sir, we would see Jesus,” – John 12: 20-21
These Greeks came to see Jesus shortly before he was delivered up to die
because of our sins. His three years of preaching, teaching and healing had
made him known among the Gentiles that lived nearby Galilee. His humility and
compassion were clear, and with few words, he still makes us aware of
ourselves. He alone is the light that lights every man coming into the world.
It is tragic that in many churches Jesus is obscured from those that come to
see him. He is obscured by preachers who fail to call us to repentance toward
God, because only in that surrender can we see him. He is concealed by church
leaders that try to conceal sin to preserve pride, by those pursuing projects,
rather than returning and rest (Isaiah 30:15), and by all who present the
assembly of disciples as an essential institution between us and him. Compare 3
John 9-10.
Jesus came among us to give us hope in spite of our sinfulness, and by relying
on him, to actually transform our desires and life. His face radiated
compassion for those sorry for their sin, and his voice spoke clearly the
forgiveness we all need to receive. All of his decisions were to do his
Father’s will. Having lived that way he shows us the joy of fulfilling our life
by imitating his. He alone can replace our self-importance with regard for God,
compassion for others, and impart the hope of Resurrection.
The people of Jesus’ culture were prepared to receive the truth that one man
would be the champion and hope of others. The western culture into which we
were born, exalts the self and relies on reasoning to grasp reality. But our
reasoning is powerless to remove the reality of our shame. We need a champion,
a Savior. Only the death of the cross is powerful to pierce through our
illusions of self-sufficiency and self-goodness, and restore our identity as
creatures, dependent upon our Creator. We would see Jesus.
“It is quite impossible to preach Christ faithfully without saying many things
which will sting the natural heart of man into opposition and rebellion.”-
James Stewart, Heralds of God
2/12/04