We Want to See Jesus

What does it mean to want to see Jesus?

The Gospel of John tells the story of some Greeks who come to Jesus disciples asking to see him. This takes place just days after Lazarus is raised from the dead, just days after Jesus rides into the city of Jerusalem to the cries of Hosana, just days after he had cleared the merchants out of the temple. Jesus was making the news. The things he was doing were talked about around the neighbourhood wells and in the streets. He had become something of a celebrity.

I wonder what those Greek visitors expected to see. I wonder what they were hoping to learn. The Gospel doesn't tell us if Jesus even met them, but the fact that they wanted to see him for themselves says something about them and their desire to understand who this Jesus was.

I wonder too, how many of us really want to see Jesus. Are we satisfied with the picture we carry in our minds or who he was and is. So often, we make Jesus into what we need him to be rather than really trying to see who he is.

This Sunday, we will spend some time thinking about seeing Jesus. Who is he to us and how can we help those around us see him too.