That They Would See Jesus”
Text: John 12:20-33
Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast.
Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir we wish to see Jesus.”
Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.
But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
“He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world, will keep it for eternal life.
“If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am there my servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say, ‘Father save Me from this hour?” But for this purpose I came to this hour.
“Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”
Therefore, the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel had spoken to Him.”
Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake.
“Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” This he said signifying what manner of death he would die.
“SIR, WE WISH TO SEE JESUS!”
As a new recognized ordained pastor with the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, I have made a vow unto the Lord, that in my preaching and teaching, people would see Jesus.
In the past I have to admit that I am human and sometimes I have clouded the person of Jesus Christ, God please forgive me! All of our preaching and teaching must glorify Jesus. There are times that I feel that I have failed.
Our family is coming up on the 3rd death anniversary. For the first two years I really struggled with this. She took her life and I felt responsible, why? It was because I thought I had failed her because she did not see Jesus.
I finally admitted to Bishop Taganas of the torment that I was feeling; he told me that I had done all that I could have done. And that I was probably dealing with false guilt.
Then this past week I got a message from the mother of this daughter, she told me that she is sending me the Bible that I had given her. She explained to me how there were texts in her Bible that was highlighted. That maybe before her life was taken, that maybe she did see a glimpse of Jesus.
I cannot do anything about her anymore, I finally told the Lord, I commend you into Your hands, and please forgive me if I failed her. But I feel that God used the mother of her daughter to comfort me and to encourage me into the Lord.
I told the Lord this week that this last year of Me having the opportunity to serve Campus Life Organization one more year. I want to make sure that we all see Jesus. I will only be teaching one Tuesday a month and the rest of the month different students will be responsible. If they fail to keep their commitment; we sing a few songs and go home. In the past I have spoiled them. Oh it is okay that you did not prepare I have something prepared. But this has not helped them. There may be times that they may not have a sponsor available and they can still worship the Lord together. I know that their advisors will help them, but they are also very busy.
Philip had a similar situation, his friend Nathaniel. Philip was excited when he saw Jesus and Jesus told Philip to follow Him. He went and told Nathaniel, that they found the one that Moses and the prophets spoke of. Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. Nathaniel was not in the least bit impressed. “Nazareth!; Can any good thing come from her?”
Philip did not argue, but simply replied with a challenge; “Come and See.” A prophet in her or his own town is never honored. Our greatest influence many times will not be within our families. But arguing over Scripture is not going to win souls for Jesus Christ. But I pray today you will see Jesus!
Philip was from Bethsaida at the time of Jesus there was a pool of Bethsaida, and angel would come and stir the water and the first person in the pool would be healed.
Jesus had to die in order that you and I would be reconciled to God. There is a sin issue. In Romans 3:23 “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God; and in Romans 6:23 Paul says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.”
When we sin we fall short of the glory of God. And the wage for us sinning is death. But God not wishing anyone to perish but for all to come to repentance provided a way out for us. He gave us His most precious gift Jesus Christ. It is not a gift we deserve or we could ever earn. It is given to us that we would know the love of God and the love of Jesus Christ.
Jesus said that no one takes his life from him, but he gives it up freely. My son had been reminding me of God’s love this week. We wanted to try to teach him a new memory verse; something simple: “2 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.” But he kept saying God is Love!
God was willing to give us His best gift his beloved Son in whom He was well pleased.
The question I want to raise this morning is “Are you a believer or a follower of Jesus Christ. A believer does not necessarily guarantee a follower of Jesus.
James tells us, you believe in God, that is good, but the devil also believes and trembles. Faith without works is dead. So believing is only the first step; upon our belief we determine if we are going to be a follower or only a believer.
A follower is willing to give up their life for the sake of Christ. A follower will pick up their cross and follow Him.
During the tornado that hit Oaklahoma was the worst one I have seen. I am used to them because for forty seven years I lived in tornado alley.
After one individual had lost everything he owned, he still gave the glory to God.
Sometimes we are not as good of a Christian as we ought to be. But even with our many mistakes we can still love God. And it still boggles my mind with all that I have done in my life, how God could still love me but He does. Even though I have made grievous mistakes I still love God. It is a choice that we make.
There are many people who will not like us because of the stand that we make for Jesus Christ. I was told this past fortunately people like me are dying off the face of this earth. I believe God’s Word and will not compromise the Word of God!
God will always love us no matter what we do; He may be disappointed in us; and he may even be angry with us; but He still will love us.
At times I get very angry at my son but I still love him and would not hurt him. I take a time out when I am that angry. Most parents at one time or another become very angry with our children, but most still love their children.
I once heard a grandma say to her granddaughter; “If you misbehave God will not love you anymore.
“I told this grandma that this is not true God always loves us; He may be disappointed in us but He will always love us.
The most important thing that Christ did for us was not dying. Many good leaders have died but He took up His life again and his sitting on the right hand of God and interceding for us. He offers that gift to us today. All we have to do is to accept it and use to the glory of Jesus Christ.
Colossians 3:17 says, “Whatever we do in word or deed do to the glory of God.”
We must make Jesus God and Lord over our life. In everything we do we must give glory to God.
God is glorifying Jesus because He was obedient even to the point of offering his body as a sin offering. It is because of this that Christ is drawing all people to Himself. There are followers in every nation and there are believers in all nations of the world. Therefore are you a follower or a believer? I pray you will make the decision to be a follower so that you will and I will be where Jesus is! To the glory of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit Amen.
