The Only Way We See Jesus :: John 12:19-21

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I have our word of the day taped to my lampstand. It serves a constant reminder. It reads: Κύριε, θέλομεν τὸν Ἰησοῦν ἰδεῖν. ... Sir, we wish to see Jesus. This word comes to us from a conversation that immediately followed our first Gospel reading in John 12. It was spoken by Gentiles who had gone to Jerusalem in order to worship during the feast. They realized Jesus was here. He had entered Jerusalem to the songs, praises, and cheers of tens of thousands of people. So these Gentiles wanted to know more. Sir, we wish to see Jesus.

The Pharisees didn’t get it. They didn’t understand why people were so excited to see Jesus. The Pharisees thought it was foolish to pay attention to Jesus ... to what he was teaching and preaching and doing. That is most certainly one reason they said to one another, You see: You are gaining nothing in your effort to see Jesus. 

But the Gentiles persisted. There were some Gentiles, John wrote, who went to Philip and said to him: Sir, we wish to see Jesus (Jn 12:19-21). 

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Every time I climb into this pulpit, I want this note to remind me that you also want to see Jesus. ... That’s why we are here today ... right? ... You also want to see Jesus in the word ... to recognize what he has done and continues to do. You want to know more about Jesus ... to remember Jesus. 

Today is Palm Sunday, the Sunday of the Passion ... and we have come to worship during the feast, saying ... Lord, we wish to see Jesus. ... Lord, help us to have faith in Jesus ... Lord, help us in our faithlessness ... Lord, lift our veiled view of the cross to see Jesus and him crucified. Help us always to remember not only what Jesus has done ... living without sin, and dying for your sin ... but just as importantly ... what he continues to do for the Holy Christian Church, rising into eternal life and delivering the forgiveness of sins through the communion of saints. 

It is certainly excellent to hear about Jesus. In fact, we need to. That’s why I read the Passion of Christ according to Matthew from the pulpit. Faith in Christ comes through hearing, and hearing through the Word of God. And no one speaks the Word of God better than Jesus. 

But it is just as excellent to see Jesus. Here, in his Service to YOU, he offers YOU the entire treasure of heaven. With the greatest kindness, he calls, gathers, and enlightens YOU to receive what we can see, and touch, and taste. His sacraments strengthen our faith as we come to know Jesus is actually delivering the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation ... through his body and blood given and shed for you. Let us always give thanks to God that ...

 WE CAN NOW SEE JESUS THE ONLY WAY WE KNOW ... IN HIS NAME.

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