Can They See Jesus?

By Rev Kenneth Mtata 

Today’s readings

• Isaiah 49:1-7

• Psalm 71:1-14

• 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

• John 12:20-36

They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” (John 12:21)

In John 12, everything is now preparing for suffering and death. Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem for “feast of the Passover” (John 12:1). He stops over in Bethany at Lazarus’ home where Martha is preparing a meal for him and Mary anoints him with expensive oil. One can feel an atmosphere of farewell in everything that is happening. Jesus then arrives in Jerusalem and the crowds go wild as they welcome him as the King to come. They sing “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”  “Blessed is the king of Israel!” The word ‘Hosanna’ comes from the Hebrew which can be loosely translated “please save us!” Such shouting and recognition of Jesus as the King of Israel who is coming to save, should have started to cause panic among political leaders who see this as causing a serious national security threat.

Among the people who are in the city for the Passover and some Greeks who may have just arrived from the diaspora. They also wanted to see Jesus. For Jesus, the fact that representatives of people outside Palestine have also come to seek him, means that the whole world is now coming to believe. This is a signal for him that it is time for his departure. But his death is going to be a trigger for the growth of the kingdom because “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” (John 12:24).

On this third day of the Passover week, people are also coming to us as the disciples wanting to see Jesus. What kind of Jesus do we point them to? Mary saw Jesus as the king worthy to be anointed with expensive oil. Martha saw him as the special guest to be served. Lazarus saw Jesus as one who brings back to life. The crowds saw Jesus as the king and the one who could save Israel from the tyranny and domination of the Romans. The Greeks came and asked: “can we also see Jesus?” In Greek, the word Jesus means “savior” which is the same with Hebrew “Joshua”. The Greeks wanted to see the savior. 

What Jesus do people what to see today? Maybe people are looking for Jesus who can give them a sense of hope where they are overwhelmed with despair. Maybe people are looking for Jesus who can restore their families that are falling apart. Maybe people are looking for Jesus who can tell them the truth in the context of lies and deception. Maybe people want to see a Jesus who can give them true and genuine friendship in a context of anonymous relationships of social media. Maybe people are looking for Jesus who can genuinely meet their needs, not one who just demands their loyalty from them. Maybe people are seeking in Jesus a leader who can build them into lifegiving community and not one who pursues selfish agendas. Can we show this Jesus to the world? 

Let’s Pray

God, we pray that you make as signs through which people can see Jesus. We pray that those who are sad can find a joy-giving Jesus through us. We pray that those who are fearful may encounter a courage giving Jesus through us. We pray that those who are hopeless may encounter a hope giving Jesus through us.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.