John 12:20-36 page 1

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You find all sorts of things in pulpits. Along with Bibles, hymn books and prayer books you may find a plaque telling you who made it, or the name of the person in whose name it was given. You find the words of a dismissal prayer for when the children leave for their activities.

Best of all, in some old pulpits, you find an important reminder for the preacher. Someone will have affixed the words of the Greeks in this reading: 'Sir, we would see Jesus.' That is, never mind about showing off, tell us about Jesus. Don't attract attention to yourself, glorify Jesus.

When the Greeks arrived and made their simple request to see Jesus they simply wanted a meeting with him. They made their approach via the two disciples with Greek names: Philip and Andrew.

But Jesus doesn't treat their request as a simple desire for an appointment. He doesn't say, 'yes', 'no' or 'later'. On the surface he doesn't even seem to answer them directly at all.

In a sense, however, he is answering their request to see him. But what he says in effect is this: if you really want to see me, see me when I am crucified soon. If you want to see me most clearly, look at me on the Cross.

To me, what Jesus says on this theme tells me a lot about what the Cross achieves. And that's my theme from this passage: what the Cross achieves.

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Copyright © David D Faulkner, 2006 except where other sources are attributed or noted as inspiration.