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Chapter 68—When the Greeks Wished to “See
Jesus”
This chapter is based on
John 12:20-43
.
“Among those who went up to worship at the feast were some
Greeks. So these came to Philip, ... and said to him, Sir, we wish to
see Jesus... . Andrew went with Philip and they told Jesus.” RSV.
At this time Christ’s work bore the appearance of cruel defeat.
He had been victor in the controversy with the priests and Pharisees,
but it was evident that He would never be received by them as the
Messiah. The final separation had come. The case seemed hopeless.
But the great event which 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 countenance
lighted up, and He said, “The hour is come, that the Son of man
should be glorified.”
These men came from the West to find the Saviour 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
Saviour’s cross.
The Greeks longed to know the truth in regard to Christ’s mission.
When they said, “We wish to see Jesus,” He was in that part of the
temple from which all except Jews were excluded, 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
[417]
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 a murderer. To the question, “What shall I do ... with
Jesus?” the answer would be given, “Let Him be crucified.”
Matthew
27:22
. By making this propitiation for sin Christ knew that His
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