DAY 39: Seeing Jesus . . . and More

“Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘we would like to see Jesus.’ Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.” (John 12:20-22)

As we review the events of the Passover festival, perhaps we can say that there were three kinds of people in the crowd that day. There were those who lined the streets waving palm branches as Jesus passed by in a triumphal parade. They shouted their praises to Jesus, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (John 12:13)

But also in that crowd were skeptics and critics, Pharisees we call them. They weren’t the least bit impressed by Jesus. In fact, they were annoyed by Him. “Look how the whole world has gone after him!” (John 12:19) they said with disgust.

However, there was a third group who were there in the crowd that day. These were people who were at the Passover festival who didn’t really know Jesus. Oh maybe somehow they heard about him. Maybe someone they knew bumped into Him or heard Him speak or were even healed by Him at some point. Somehow or other these people knew “about” Jesus but they didn’t really know Him. They were curious. Seekers, you might say.  

So one of them tapped Philip (one of the disciples) on the shoulder and said, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”  Philip told Andrew. Andrew and Philip told Jesus.

Sometimes people are so forward and direct that they simply ask for what they want. How wonderful it would be if ministry was as easy as waiting for people to stop by our church asking us to introduce them to Jesus. But it usually doesn’t happen that easily, does it? In fact, it often takes more effort than that.

How important it is to keep the perspective that what your church is all about is introducing people to Jesus. And once people come to “see Him” (as the man requested), Jesus offers more than a passing glance. He offers His life. He offers forgiveness of sins, hope for this life, and the gift of eternal life through faith in Him.  

When the man asked, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus,” Jesus had so much more – immeasurably more – to give him.

“Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” To show people Jesus is why you are doing what you are doing even through this capital campaign. It’s really all about seeing Jesus, and nothing more.