John 12:20-21
09/16/2025
- Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks.
- So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, ‘‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’’ 22
Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. (ESV)
‘‘Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.’’
In the two thousand years since Jesus walked upon the earth, many people have made this request. Why do people ask to see Him? Are they looking for signs and wonders, as did the 5,000 men, plus women and children, that He fed in the wilderness? Are they looking for divine intervention in a crisis when there is no other hope? Are they looking for peace in their troubled souls, the assurance of God’s grace, love, and mercy? We don’t know the motivation of these Greeks who asked Philip to arrange an audience with Jesus, we know what they asked Philip, the disciple.
Where do you look for Jesus? Do you look for His favor by doing good works, by trying to be kind, by refraining from actions which might be harmful? You won’t find Him there. Do you look for Him in your heart, in feeling good about the personal relationship you have with Him, that you seem to walk and talk with Him in a garden? You won’t find Him there, either.
We find Jesus in the Word of God and in the sacraments which He gave the Church. We find Jesus, not in the glory of His majesty, but upon the cross where He bore the sins of all.
May our Lord help us to find Him where He promises to be found. Amen.