Thursday after Reminiscere
Posted on March 4, 2021 by under
Scripture: St. John 12:20-26 (NKJV)
12:20 Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. 21 Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.
23 But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 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. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 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.
Devotion
The desire of the Greeks to see Jesus was answered by our Lord with the teaching of the Gospel! This makes the important point that the Church and her worship are not just about beholding certain persons or events; the Church is about teaching faith in Jesus Christ and observing that which He commands us.
Too many people have the wrong impression that worship is just about showing up and seeing the service or hearing a sermon. The Church’s worship is not about occasional experiences, but it is about the ongoing connection to the Word of God and the faithful use of His Holy Sacraments. These things strengthen our faith and help us to grow in spiritual maturity. As we continue in His Word, we become better at serving according to His will. We become better able to trust in Him above all things. And we become more humble about this present life of sin and weakened flesh, as we also look forward to the greater life to come in His eternal kingdom. It is good for us to want to see Jesus, but we must also see the whole counsel of what He teaches us, as well as seeing Him as our Lord and Savior! As the Father said at the Transfiguration, “Hear Him!”
Prayer: O God, who seest that of ourselves we have no strength, keep us both outwardly and inwardly that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
