…“Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
JOHN 12:21 ESV
Peter tells us that we are to hold an answer for everyone who asks about our hope (1 Peter 3:15). We live with this responsibility, knowing we must be ready to respond to such a request, as seen in today’s Scripture.
This verse suggests two foundational truths: first, every person needs to see Jesus; and second, since Jesus is no longer physically present on earth, we now bear the responsibility of reflecting Him faithfully to others.
These Greeks approached Philip, one of Jesus’ disciples, and asked to see Jesus. I find it particularly interesting that Philip went to Andrew, and together they went to tell Jesus. We aren’t told much more about this interaction, but we can learn that, as disciples, we have a responsibility to lead others to Jesus, and to do so, we must see Him rightly.
From Scripture, we are continually reminded to look unto Jesus. Knowing that Jesus was first the Word and then the Word made flesh, we understand that we now “see” Him primarily through the words He spoke and the words written about Him. We behold Him as we read Holy Scripture. We become what we behold.
This makes Paul’s prayer from Ephesians 1 vital for us each day in our ongoing desire to see Jesus. We ‘see’ through the eyes of revelation, birthed by His Spirit according to Ephesians 1:17, ‘The Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him’. It is first and foremost a spiritual working in the heart of man to illuminate the soul.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:22, ‘the eye is the lamp of the body, if your eye is clear [spiritually perceptive] your whole body will be full of light [benefiting from God’s precepts].’ Amplified Translation.
To consider Him in, and through every moment, is to accept that Jesus is everything we have need of at all times. Jesus has been made unto us, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. To abide with Him is to experience the life He is within His Kingdom. We experience His righteousness, peace, and joy through the power of the Holy Spirit.
John the Baptist announced, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”. Isaiah prophesied, “Behold my servant whom I uphold, my chosen in whom my soul delights.” We are to look upon and consider the One who endured the cross, became sin, defeated death, rose again, and is crowned and seated as Lord of Lords, and King of Kings.
The Jesus we behold must become the Jesus others see—living and working through our lives—so that our words carry power and demonstration, drawing others into His family and fellowship within His Kingdom.