SIR, WE WISH TO SEE JESUS

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.”— John 12:20-21

We must surely commend these Greeks for their desire to see Jesus. After all, He is the center and circumference of the Bible, the theme of the Scriptures (John 5:39), and the spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:10)

There is no substitute for Jesus in the heart need of the sinner. Colorful, traditional ritual cannot replace Him. Moral reform does not supplant Him. Refinement is not regeneration. Culture of high caliber is not conversion. 

Good words or good intentions on the religious list of “musts" cannot eclipse Jesus any more than a flickering candle can eclipse the scintillating brilliance of the noonday sun. The sinner has not one thing to commend him to God. The poet said it for us: “ In my hand no price I bring, simply Thy cross I cling.” 

Would not the great disciple Peter have been acceptable to these Greeks? Peter was one of the so-called “inner circle” of three and the spokesman for all the disciples. He was the bold one whose high and holy zeal almost always came to the front when tested. But they did not want to see Peter. They said, “Sire, we wish to see Jesus.” 

How strange that they had come to Philip instead of Peter. Or was it strange? The Greeks knew, of course that men are only men. A little later you remember it was Peter who boasted, and miserably failed his Lord in the great hour of testing. The Greeks knew Whom they wanted to see. They wanted to see Jesus: none other would satisfy. 

Would not James or John have been acceptable? These fine brothers had a noble record. They were called “sons of thunder” by the Lord. Was not that an impressive designation? So the Greeks may have an interview with them. How will they respond? Again, they request with determination, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”

They chose Jesus instead of James and John. We commend them for their choice because James and John had to be sternly rebuked by the Lord for possessing the wrong kind of spirit when they requested some of Elijah’s fire to burn the Samaritans. 

The Greeks had come to Jerusalem for one purpose: to see Jesus. No one else would be an adequate substitute.

Why did the Greeks want to see Jesus? Jesus could save them, sustain them, and make life meaningful and purposeful for them. Jesus could deliver them from the emptiness of their philosophy and cause them to delight in His presence and blessing. Jesus could give them peace. 

These, the Greeks are upon the pages of Scripture, acting soundly and sanely in their desire to see Jesus. Let us learn a lesson. The deep heart cry of men is to see Jesus—not us. 

One Sunday evening a happy pastor had this lesson indelibly impressed upon his mind. He was rejoicing in a man’s newly found salvation and inquired, “Brother, what was it I said that caused you to be saved tonight?” 

“Nothing, nothing you said, Pastor,” the man exclaimed. “It was your text!”

The text had revealed the person and work of Jesus Christ.

“Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”