Our Sunday Morning Message for April 7, 2024

                     

                                        "We Wish to See Jesus"

                                           Text: John 12: 20-26

                                  ​

 

In this message, we are told by John of certain Greeks who came to one of Christ disciples to make an unique request. They asked Philip, "Sir, we would like to see Jesus." At this moment in Jesus earthly ministry, it was Palm Sunday where Christ offered Himself as the King of the Jews. This begins the last week of Jesus here on earth as He heads toward Calvary to die for the sins of all humanity. We call this moment in Jesus life, the Triumphal entry.

​

One of John's major theme in his Gospel is that Jesus is the Savior of the world. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. John tells us that Jesus came unto His own, but his own received Him not (John 1:11).  Jesus is the Messiah that the Jewish people have been looking forward for many centuries. At His birth, He was born into a Jewish family, and was reared according to Jewish law in a Jewish town. When Christ began his earthy ministry, he chose Jewish disciples, not one of them were Gentiles. He spoke in Jewish synagogues and in the Jewish temple. His mission during His earthly ministry, in fulfillment to Old Testament prophets, was to the nation of Israel.

​

In Paul's writing to the Romans, Paul asked the question that maybe we should ask as well, "Is God the God of the Jews only? Is he not the God of the Gentiles too?" (Romans 3:29)  Yes, Jesus is the Jewish Messiah, but He had also came to offer salvation to everyone. The Gospel is not limited to one group of people. It is a whosoever gospel. As John 3: 16 teaches, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." This is the message of our text.

​

We are told in Mark's Gospel that after Christ Triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus went into the temple.  At this time, we have these Greeks or Gentiles who want to have an interview with Jesus. They could not go to Jesus where He was because Gentiles were not allowed in the temple, so they go to Philip. Philip not sure what to do so he goes to Andrew for some counsel. Andrew also was perplexed in knowing what to do. So, both Philip and Andrew seek Jesus for some advice in responding to these Greeks who wanted to see Him.

 

Here, we can take note. We need to follow the examples of the Greeks and Jesus disciples. When in doubt over important things in our life, seek not the wisdom of the world but seek Jesus. The Holy Spirit will give you a peace that the world cannot give. Remember the words of the Apostle Paul, "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts..." (Colossians 3:15)

 

 

 

 

                                                     Pastor Michael R. Martin

 

 

​

​​​                                                 

The Good News for the Week:

 

"The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsadia of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus."  John 12:21.