"Sir, we would see Jesus"

 

Screen capture from Journeys with the Messiah

When that request was first written, here is the sequence of events:

The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him. And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. (John 12:17-22 KJV)

It would be good for you (sure was for me) to read the entire chapter to visualize where Jesus was, what time of year, who Lazarus was, and his sisters. There was a crowd with Jesus when Lazarus was returned to his family. The crowd dispersed, and told people about what they had seen. News traveled, not as quickly as today's social media, but sufficiently that people wanted to know more.

Note it was Greeks, not Jews from Greece, nor Jewish Greeks, but simply Greeks came to worship at the feast. Most likely they were at least converts to have made the trip to Jerusalem for Passover. In addition to hearing of Lazarus' coming out of the grave, they learned who was close to the teacher who worked this miracle. Their question got them to see Jesus.

Have you ever had someone ask you about knowing Jesus? Or have you ever asked anyone if they wanted to know Him? as Christians, we've been told to telll everyone about Him:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20 KJV)

Yes, Jesus was speaking to a small group of men - but they did exactly what He told them today, which is why we have the Bible today and find followers of Christ in all nations.

Did you know in American English "evangel" is defined as "the good tidings of the redemption of the world through Jesus Christ; the gospel." Thus "evangelist" is "a person who seeks to convert others to the Christian faith, especially by public preaching." Jesus was an evangelist, for He taught of God's Son (John 3:15-18) before He sent men out to evangelize. Jesus is the good news the angels proclaimed:

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11 KJV)

If you've visited here at least once, you've read of Jesus, God's perfect gift to mankind, and the salvation offered to everyone who believes in Him.  That evaagel I share makes me an evangelist. Are you?

In today's politically charged world, "evangelism" has been used as a pejorative. Social media users are not shy to protest posts that state what I write on this blog. Many want to be free of religion, not offering freedom to have a religion. All the while, I pray that every time I mention His name, one person might decide, "I would see Jesus." Dear Christian reading this - are you prepared to show Jesus to someone who asks you that question?

Note the screen capture I used for today's graphic. Journeys With The Messiah pictures Jesus in every day life from biblical scenes - only set in our tiime, not two thousand years ago - yet the story is the same, the message is the same, the people need the same. How do you approach people who would see Jesus?