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When the Greeks Wished to “See Jesus”
This chapter is based on John 12:20-43.
“Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to
worship at the feast. Then they came to Philip ... and asked him,
saying, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ ... Andrew and Philip told Jesus.”
At this time Christ’s work looked as though it had suffered cruel
defeat. He had been the victor in the controversy with the priests
and Pharisees, but it was clear that they would never accept Him
as the Messiah. The final separation had come. The case seemed
hopeless. But the great event that concerned the whole world was
about to take place. When Christ heard the eager request, “We wish
to see Jesus,” echoing the hungering cry of the world, His face lit
up, and He said, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be
glorified.”
These men came from the West to find the Savior at the close
of His life. The wise men had come from the East at the beginning.
These Greeks represented the nations, tribes, and peoples of the
world. People of all lands and all ages would be drawn by the
Savior’s cross.
The Greeks longed to know the truth about Christ’s mission.
When they said, “We wish to see Jesus,” He was in that part of the
temple that excluded everyone except Jews, but He went out to the
Greeks in the outer court and had a personal interview with them.
The inquiry of the Greeks showed Christ 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 dream of then. They would see Him placed beside Barabbas,
a robber and a murderer. To the question, “What ... shall I do
with Jesus?” the people would answer, “Let Him be crucified!”
Matthew 27:22
. By making this sacrifice for sin Christ knew that
His kingdom would be perfected and would extend throughout the
world. He would work as the Restorer, and His Spirit would prevail.
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