Seeing Jesus
Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 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
The Greeks mentioned here must have heard about Jesus’ radical inclusion. This outsider from Nazareth was, after all, the first Jew who spoke about bringing people together at a time when Greeks and Jews were religiously divided. One faith tradition worshipped one God, Yahweh. The other faith tradition worshipped many gods.
Scripture doesn’t share why the Greeks sought Philip only. Scholars suggest it is because Philip has a Greek name. Andrew’s name is also Greek.
Scripture also doesn’t share if, in fact, the Greeks see Jesus by way of Philip and Andrew. Instead, the focus shifts to Jesus’ response, which explains to the Son of Man’s listeners—presumably a crowd of Jews and Greeks alike—why He is going to die.
Maybe we should wonder if we see Jesus. Scripture tells us the Greeks went up to the festival, the Big Time Event of the season. Is our upcoming Easter celebration similar? If we only see Jesus, then we are missing the essence of His life, death, and eternal life which affirms the eternal lives of those who seek and find Him today.
Let the Easter message of universal salvation for all who follow Jesus be clear. Together, may we not only see Jesus, but also follow Him into our heaven-bound eternity.
PRAYER: Jesus, help us understand through Philip and Andrew that Your radical inclusion involves more than one person. Also, help us do more than see You. Through and beyond Easter, help us hear and follow You, too. Amen.
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