My brothers and sisters
‘Look the whole world has gone after him! 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.’ (Jn. 12:19-22).
Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead and many people followed him and flooded the streets as a result. But there were some Greeks who had arrived in Jerusalem to worship at the Festival. They must have been curious about the rumors and the possible misinfor- mation about the Messiah. This may have added to their desire to “see Jesus.” They must have fought their way through the crowd and approached Philip, whom they may have known, with the request. We are not told what happened but I feel that Andrew and Philip must have taken them to see Jesus.
How does this narrative speak to us? How are we seeking the Lord? Who are we taking to Jesus? Do we facilitate people in seeing Jesus? Is Jesus seen in me?
Lent provides us with the opportunity seek God diligently through Bible Study and the attention we give to our spiritual growth. We are told to, “seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near.” (Isa. 55:6).The goal of Lent is to have a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ in his suffering, death and resurrection. When this is achieved, then we will not only facilitate people seeing Jesus, but Jesus will be seen in us. If this Lenten period is to transform us, then this should be seen in our lives; there must be congruence between what we believe and our practice. Very early in the Lenten season we were reminded that our worship should not be done to get praise or for show, but to glory God.
Having experienced renewal, whom are we taking to Jesus? Like Philip and Andrew we should lead others to Christ. It is our responsibility as Christians to help those persons who are seeking Jesus to find him. We should be Andrew and Philip for those persons. May God assist us with grace to be the instruments of God’s salvation for those who are seeking the Messiah in our age.
We warmly welcome His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Howard Gregory, our President and Preacher this morning.
Have a blessed week.
Yours in Christ
Patrick+
