"We want to see Jesus"

TUESDAY HOLY WEEK 2020

And so, we come to Tuesday of Holy Week. I wonder how you are doing? It is so strange not to be worshiping with the body of Christ together in person this week, but we are, I know, together in spirit.

My Tuesday began very early this morning when I woke and found a full moon shining through the bedroom window; it felt as if of the Lord was shining his face upon me through the darkness of the night.

Our reading for this Holy Day, is John 20-35.

It begins with some Greeks coming to Philip seeking an introduction to Jesus.

You might think it strange to find Greeks in Jerusalem at the time of Passover. But the Greeks were seekers of truth.

They were wanderers, always open to learn new things.

Perhaps some of them had been at the temple’s Court of the Gentiles and witnessed Jesus’ overturning the tables of the money changers and sellers of doves.

Perhaps they wished to meet this strange man who acted with such authority.

They came to Philip, who went to tell Andrew, and Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

In response to the Greeks’ searching, Jesus starts to speak to them about what is happening.

His hour has come, and those who would follow him must also be willing to “die” so that something new can be born.

It seems an odd response to the Greeks’ simple request. Jesus is telling them more than they wanted to know........... but that is the way of Jesus. Even in this last week, he wants those on the outside, the margins, to come into the light.

There is nothing simple about the path he has chosen, his is the way of the cross.

It is no secret, that Jesus was anxious about what lay ahead.

"Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour?

No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour, Father, glorify your name."

And then God himself confirms it – a voice comes from heaven, saying,

“I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”

This is not a voice for Jesus alone; the surrounding crowd hear it too.

In fact, Jesus says the voice has come for the crowd, not for him.

God had spoken aloud to his son twice before — at his baptism, and at the Transfiguration, and now as he approaches death.

The voice of God confirms always who Jesus is, the Beloved, and gives him strength for the road ahead.

I believe that voice of God is for us today, Jesus says,

“This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgement on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up will draw all people to myself."

Jesus said, “For a brief time still, the light is among you. Walk by the light you have so darkness doesn’t destroy you. If you walk in darkness, you don’t know where you’re going. As you have the light, believe in the light. Then the light will be within you, and shining through your lives. You’ll be children of light.”

The Greeks came with a simple request, “We want to see Jesus," and found in their search for enlightenment, the Light of the World.

Light of the world You stepped down into darkness Opened my eyes, Let me see Beauty that made this heart adore you Hope of a life spent with you Here I am to worship Here I am to bow down Here I am to say that you're my God You're altogether lovely Altogether worthy