An Earthly Request with an Eternal Promise
“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.” John 12:20-21 (NIV)
As Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem during The Feast of The Passover, he was met by a huge crowd waving palm branch before Him as a conquering king returning from war. Though He entered Jerusalem riding on the back of a donkey, with twelve minimally armed men, the crowd’s expectation was that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem to wage war against Rome and to overthrow the Roman occupation.
In the midst of this great celebration, some believing Greeks came to Jerusalem to worship and to see Jesus. They went to where Jesus was staying and said to Philip, one of His disciples, “Sir, we desire to see Jesus.” Upon hearing the request of the Greek converts, Jesus declared the sovereign purpose for which God the Father had sent Him into the world, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” The request of these unnamed Greeks to see Jesus meant that the gospel was “spreading throughout the world” and those outside of Israel were also being saved. The request of these “no named” Greek believers made real that which God had declared by His sovereign authority for the redemption humanity through His Son, Jesus Christ, “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all humanity unto me”. (John 12:32)
These converted Greek believers were not sent for Jesus to know it was His time to fulfill God’s sovereign plan of salvation. Jesus was aware of that from the genesis of time. Jesus knew the suffering that was set before Him. He also knew that He would have victory over the cross and the grave. As Jesus spoke with His disciples He wanted to remind them that discipleship comes with a cost. Yes, there will be trials of life and of faith. However, as they follow Him, and put their faith fully in Him, He would and will continue to make real His power and presence throughout life’s uneven journey. And even more, His power and presence will be with Believers throughout time and welcome us into eternity.
Do you, like the unnamed Greek converts, want to see Jesus? Are you ready to follow Him as He appoints? By opening your heart to Jesus, He will guide, keep and sustain you in your living and receive you into eternity. Amen.
Prayer: Father God, create in every heart on earth an unquenchable desire “to see” Jesus that we might experience Your power and presence in our lives, both in time and eternity. We ask it all in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Rev. Larron D. Jackson, DMin
Ministry and Mission Coach, Denver Cluster
