Meditation on John 12:20-26

From Peter Munson

September 20, 2006

 

Wishing to See Jesus

 

"Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks.  They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." (John 12:20-21)

 

Wouldn't you have wished to see him, too?  According to John's gospel, he had turned water into wine at a wedding in Cana (John 2), turned around the life of the Samaritan woman who had been married five times (John 4), healed a man who had been lame for 38 years (John 5), fed the 5000 (John 6), restored sight to a man born blind (John 9), and - here's the coup de grace - brought Lazarus back to life! (John 11)  It seems to me that Jesus did all these things not to bring attention to himself, but because he had compassion for others, and wanted them to experience life in abundance (John 10:10) - the amazing love of God.

 

I wish to see Jesus.  In a world of wars and poverty and politicians peddling fear and cancer and e. coli and people blowing each other up in the name of God - God forbid! - I wish to see Jesus.  Don't you?  The good news is that we can still see him.  His presence is all around us.

 

I see Jesus in the little children who come up to the altar rail to receive communion... when they ask me questions ("Where is that thing that was here last week that people were throwing balls at?" - The dunk tank from the Harvest Auction), and when they say "thank you" when I place the bread in their hands.

 

I see Jesus in the volunteers at the Habitat for Humanity worksite, and in one of the women who lives there - a new homeowner - who was so appreciative when a decorative wall was built to mark off an area where she plans to plant a garden.

 

I see Jesus in those of you who are so eager to help volunteer to cook and serve the food at the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless, in those of you who will participate in the CROP Walk, and in those of you who will travel to Buena Vista to be adult sponsors for our youth who will be going to the Genesis Youth Weekend.

 

I see Jesus in our Vestry members when we discuss difficult issues and try to gain clarity on the future direction of our church - when each person speaks, and everyone listens.

 

I see Jesus when I drive down the hill on South Boulder Road on Sunday morning, and the mountains are capped with a recent September snow.

 

I see Jesus whenever someone says, "I was really out of line.  I'm sorry that I hurt you.  Will you forgive me?"

 

I see Jesus in many of the high school and college students I meet these days, who are smart, polite, articulate, and concerned for the earth and other people in the world - whether nearby or far away.

 

I see Jesus when you rally around someone who is ill, and you bring them meals, and send them cards, and offer to do an errand for them.

 

I see Jesus in the funny things that my wife and children say.

 

I see Jesus whenever someone does something creative - writes a song or book, paints a picture, makes a quilt, takes a startling photograph, says a beautiful prayer, teaches something in a creative way.

 

I see and hear Jesus when you really get into a song that we are singing in church, and the most beautiful sound comes forth, and it almost takes my breath away.

 

I see Jesus in all the people who have stepped up to teach Sunday School this year.  It is a large and loving group!

 

I see Jesus in all the little things that are done - setting up the altar, taking care of a portion of the church grounds, calling someone who has not been at church lately, fixing up the "ditty bags" for the little children to use in church, setting up coffee and goodies for the rest of us to enjoy after church, setting up and taking down chairs, washing dishes, printing out copies of the songs for those who are sitting up by the altar.  I could go on and on!  It reminds me that Mother Teresa said, "We can all do small things with great love."

 

Jesus said he was the light of the world (John 8:12).  But interestingly enough, according to Matthew, he also said that we are the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14)  We, working together, are the Body of Christ in the world today.  We are his arms, his legs, his heart, his mind, his Spirit.  We, when we follow him and do the same sort of things that he did, are Jesus in the world, and for the world.

 

I wish to see Jesus. Yes, I do!  Despite all the cruelty and hatred and violence and suffering in the world, I am still a very fortunate man.  Because God helps me to see Jesus, on a regular basis.  Thank you for doing what you do, so that I can see him.