February
16, 2003
SIR,
WE WISH TO SEE JESUS, Part I
"Now
there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship
at the feast. Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida
of Galilee, and asked him, saying, 'Sir, we wish to see Jesus'
" (John 12:20, 21, NKJV).
Philip
went and told Andrew and together, Andrew and Philip told
Jesus. At this time Christ's work appeared headed toward cruel
defeat. It seemed certain that He would never be received
by the priests and Pharisees. To His disciples His acceptance
by Jewish leaders was hopeless. A final separation had come.
However,
Christ was approaching the conclusion of His work on earth.
The great event that concerned not only the Jewish nation,
but the whole world, was about to take place. When Christ
heard the eager request, "We wish to see Jesus,"
He said, "The hour has come that
the Son of Man should be glorified." (John 12:23).
In the request of the Greeks Jesus saw a representation of
the nations, tribes, and peoples of the world coming to see
and know not only Jesus, but the God who sent Him.
These
men had come from the West to find the Saviour at the close
of His life, as the wise men had come from the East at the
beginning. So people of all lands and all ages would be drawn
by the Saviour's covenant sacrifice. "Many will come
from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 8:11).
"The
Greeks had heard of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Some supposed, and had circulated the report, that He had
driven the priests and rulers from the temple, and that He
was to take possession of David's throne, and reign as king
of Israel. The Greeks longed to know the truth in regard to
His mission. 'We wish to see Jesus,' they said, Their desire
was granted...
"The
hour of Christ's glorification had come. He was standing in
the shadow of the cross, and the inquiry of the Greeks showed
Him that the sacrifice He was about to make would bring many
sons and daughters to God. He knew that the Greeks would soon
see Him in a position they did not then dream of. They would
see Him placed beside Barabbas, a robber and murderer, who
would be chosen for release before the Son of God. They would
hear the people, inspired by the priests and rulers, making
their choice. And to the question, 'What shall I do then with
Jesus which is called Christ?' the answer would be given,
'Let Him be crucified" (Matthew 27:22). By making this
propitiation for the sins of men, Christ knew that His kingdom
would be perfected, and would extend throughout the world...
Only by His death could the world be saved. Like a grain of
wheat, the Son of man must be cast into the ground and die,
and be buried out of sight; but He was to live again."--
The Desire of Ages, pp., 622, 623).
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