Thursday after Reminiscere Sunday
Posted on February 29, 2024 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
“Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Scripture doesn’t tell us whether or not they actually got to see Jesus. While it is also important to note that they were “Greeks,” what is more important are the words Jesus speaks to Andrew and Philip. John’s Gospel isn’t so much interested in the fact these were Gentiles as he is interested in recording for his readers what Jesus had to say to Andrew and Philip, which may have been in earshot of these Greeks. “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.”
To really “see Jesus” is to really hear why He came into this world. He came to die for the sins of the world. For these Greeks to really “see Jesus,” they needed to hear Him. There, on the cross, they would see the fullness of who Jesus is. He is true God in the flesh, come to rescue His people.
The words, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus,” are often found in pulpits, sacristies, and vestries. These words serve to remind the pastor of his duty: Show the people Jesus! Through the Word of God preached into their ears, the pastor is to show the people Jesus on the cross. They preach Christ crucified for the sins of the world, thereby showing people the need for repentance and God’s loving forgiveness. Repentance and forgiveness of sins for Jesus’ sake is not a popular message, but it is the only way to “see Jesus.”
Collect: 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, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Season of Lent
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
