We Would See Jesus

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. John 12:20-26

This Tuesday in Holy Week, we find ourselves hearing about strangers who want to see Jesus. The chain of command is spelled out by the Gospel writer, Philip told Andrew who told Jesus. I always wondered why this was so important to the storyteller since he does not say what Jesus said to the specific "outsiders" but instead to all his followers. His words predict his coming passion, his dying so we might live. Instructions to all of us to servants, to offer our lives so all might bear fruit and be with him and our Creator. May we stop hanging on to worldly pleasures and offer ourselves this Holy Week and always.

Wondrous Creator, the promise of spring is upon us

small green shoots struggle through the rough earth

bursts of color appear in unlikely and hostile places

and we hear again that the seeds must be die for life.

We do not want to be broken open to bear fruit

we ask others to do the hard painful work for us 

then grin wide and take the credit with pleasure

as they draw near to our dear Lord and Savior.

Help us be shattered and open to you again

break open these stubborn hearts of stone

help us to seek you and offer you our selves

so the world might see your love breaking through. Amen.