March 18, 2008
(Tuesday in Holy Week)
Seeing Jesus
By
The Very Rev. Terry White,
Dean
Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 71:1-14; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; John 12:20-36
(From The
Lectionary Page)
“Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” A simple statement from the Greeks -
part inquiry, part plea. In a few famous pulpits around the world,
this verse is inscribed into the desk where the preacher places his
or her sermon text. These words express the desire of our own
hearts, and the hunger of the world. It is the call of baptism, both
to seek Jesus and to live as one who brings others to see the Lord.
In this passage Jesus then predicts his Passion, how his death will
bear much fruit and glorify his heavenly Father when he is lifted up
from the earth. As a teen I attended a retreat where a meditation on
how a grain of wheat must die in order to bear fruit planted in me
the call to the priesthood. The Church is never more fruitful than
when we intentionally chose to die to our collective self and engage
in sacrificial servanthood. In my own life, when I go through dry
seasons, feeling less connected to God, it is usually because I have
not been attentive to the call to serve. The Passion places before
us the truth that there is no higher calling than to be a servant.
Christ himself has modeled that servanthood for us.
St. John often includes in his description of a scene filled with
main characters, how others can be found looking on from the edges,
ready to comment upon and criticize what our Lord says or does. In
this account, “the crowd” asks questions, which lack the odor of
opposition that is found in the questions of the chief priests.
These questions are understandable, and for most of us, are
familiar. When the crowd — and we — ask, “How?” and “Who?” Jesus
responds by inviting us to walk with the light, where nothing is
hidden, where darkness is banished. This means to leave behind death
in all its forms, so that, like Lazarus, we might be raised from
corruption and walk in the light of new life.
In this Great Week, one cannot help but connect the Lord’s
invitation to walk in the light with walking the way of the Cross,
for many answers are found in the mighty acts we experience in this
week. Indeed, as we walk the Way of the Cross, darkness is
dispelled, and new life is found.
To us the world asks: “Sir/Madam, we wish to see Jesus.” How will
we respond?