We Want to See Jesus
John 12:20-26
Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. (John 12:20-26)
In this story, a few Greeks, being gentiles (ethnos- the nations) come to the disciple with a Greek name, Philip, asking to see Jesus. He and Andrew then went together to talk with Jesus. Upon hearing this, Jesus says that now is the time for the Son of Man to be glorified. The nations wanted to see Jesus and he then talks about crucifixion. Interestingly when the world asks to see Jesus, Jesus points to the cross.
Unless a seed dies, it remains just one seed, Jesus says. Like the talents given to the master’s servants in the synoptic gospels, a seed, a life, must be used for the purpose God has given it. A life must yield to God for it to be multiplied.
Jesus yielded his life to the will of the Father, and through this he redeems humanity. And his disciples, everyone called to faith, likewise must follow him on this journey. Only by dying to our own ambitions can we become what God has created us to be. Otherwise we remain only one little seed– stored away -kept in a coffee can in the garage - sitting there until time and decay set in. And with time and neglect, the seed is destroyed. The seed never becomes what the seed was made to be. The seed existed, but it never really lived. It stayed safe and secure, tucked away and only spoken of perhaps on a Sunday morning. Then back to the dark garage, back to the tin coffee can, waiting, and waiting- until the end.
A whole existence without ever becoming a plant that could grow so tall, wide, wild, and free so as to give shelter to even the birds of the air.
The world wants to see Jesus. But Jesus looks like sacrifice, servanthood, love, compassion– yielding to God’s will by dying to our own ambitions. And only by dying do we truly live, truly become the humanity that God lovingly desires us to be.
The world wants to see Jesus. Can we show him to them?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we so many times take the easy way out. We want to live safe and secure lives and so fail to serve the world around us. With a world longing to see authentic Christianity, may we follow our Savior in doing nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. May we follow Jesus on the road to the cross. Because we know that only in this way can we show the world Jesus. In his name. Amen.
Announcements:
Today at 6:30 we will have our Annual Business Meeting. All are invited to attend. We will have a small dinner at 6:30 and start the meeting at 7.
Next Sunday at 6pm, we will be having a Hymns For Peace special worship service. Here we will pray, sing hymns, and read scripture as we long for peace in our world. We desire to be peacemakers. Lord, help us take up the work you have assigned us.
If you are interested in contributing to the Holy Week Devotional/Art Project, please use this link to get more information: Holy Week Project.
Invite any youth to attend the 9:45 Youth Group on Sunday Mornings. Daniel and Emily Mendez are leading this.
Mitchell and Sarah Davidson are hosting a weekly Bible Study at their house on Thursdays (6-8)
Trail Life 2-3pm each Sunday
Ask Pastor Steven or Damon Hargraves for more information
Church Weekly Schedule
Sunday worship at 11am
Sunday School at 9:45am
I am teaching through the Gospel According to Matthew
Youth/Children’s Group! Daniel and Emily Mendez are heading up the Youth Group Bible Study at 9:45
Wednesday Prayer Posse 12pm
Thursday Bible Study with Mitchell and Sarah 6-8pm
Mitchell’s cell number: 907-942-0381
address: 1815 E Rezanof Dr.
Trail Life each Sunday from 2-3pm
Pastor Steven’s Office Hours 8-4 Mon-Thursday
I have an open sign (if it is on, I am here)
If I am not in the office at these times, I am meeting with someone
Call or text me 972-921-2516
Email steven@kodiakcbc.org