Lesson 180. Come, Let Us Show Them Jesus

Some Greeks came to Jerusalem and began looking for Jesus. They wanted to see the One about Whom they had heard so much and for Whose sake they had traveled such a long way. They desired to see Christ with their own eyes. I want this too. And I would gladly sit at His feet.

The Greeks were Hellenes, inhabitants of Hellas, as they called themselves and their country. At that time, Greek culture had a very strong influence on the entire civilized world. Not long before this, all the countries of that time had been under the rule of Greece, which was succeeded by Rome, and the Greek language was widely used in that world as the language of culture and international communication.

The books of the Old Testament were first translated into Greek, and this translation was called the Septuagint, which means ‘the Translation of the Seventy.’ Children were given Greek names. And now representatives of this country came to Judea. They walked around Jerusalem and asked everyone where they could find Jesus. Their inquiries led them to the temple. Apparently, they were devout people, because they were interested in Jesus not merely as a Man, but as the Savior, as the Christ; and, drawn by the Holy Spirit, they came to the place where they could see the One to Whom their hearts were drawn. All the faith of these Greeks was expressed in the words they spoke to Philip: ‘Sir, we would see Jesus.’ The Greeks were in the outer court of the temple, while Jesus was in the inner court, which Gentiles were forbidden to enter under penalty of death. Philip was confused and did not know what to do. Perhaps these guests were converts to Judaism, but to many they remained Gentiles, and people tried to avoid them. Yet their request sounded very compelling and intriguing. However, Philip did not go to Jesus but turned to Andrew. Fortunately, Andrew was more discerning and immediately told Jesus about this remarkable visit, and he was greatly surprised by Christ’s joy and response: ‘The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified... Father, glorify Thy name’ (John 12:23–28), to which a voice came from Heaven from the Father Himself. Something very significant happened at this meeting, so significant that even the Heavenly Father decided to express in words His plans for what would follow.

But I would like to point out that Philip did not come directly to Jesus, but chose a mediator in this matter. I have often noticed that when I tell people something spiritual, revealing to them the beauty of the truth in Christ and pointing to Him as their personal Savior, for some reason they begin looking for mediators and advisers from whom they can learn what to do with the truths they have heard. I am very sorry, but many of these people stumble over the opinions of their pastors and lose sight of Jesus, Who very much desires to meet with them and fellowship with them personally.

The disciple Andrew could have told Philip to forget about these foreigners, and we would have learned nothing about the Lord’s joy over these representatives of the world. But Andrew showed them Jesus. Together with Philip, he brought his Teacher to these thirsty and seeking souls, and in doing so greatly delighted his Lord.

But the request of the Greeks described here contains a very deep meaning that I would now very much like, together with you, friends, to find, understand, apply to ourselves, and decide what to do with next. This is not merely a question from curious people, but the request of the entire world, addressed through its representatives to me and to you.

We live in a time of abundance and superabundance of information. Any truth and any field of knowledge is available to us in a fraction of a second. What once took years to research is now publicly available and opens at the first request. The world speaks much and listens much. And when I go to its representatives to tell them something, I often merely add to the database and supply additional information about what has been revealed to me. And, sad as it is to say, I become someone who knows something new that others do not know. But my words do not quench the thirst of the heart. The world is tired of listening, and I understand this, but I do not know what to do. My heart burns, and I want to tell everyone about God, but no one takes me seriously; and even if people listen, it is only to satisfy their curiosity. I am not speaking about everyone, but about the majority. And what a joy it is when even one person shows a deeper interest and even asks questions. It is difficult to give anything more to people who are already satiated. But if we discover the world’s need and understand what is still valued and in demand, and if we give this to people, then perhaps a great interest will arise in spiritual things that are presented and offered properly.

We must take into account the characteristics of our time. What was relevant many years ago and bore fruit has now closed and no longer works as it once did. And if I try to live in the old way, my attempts are doomed to failure. Ask any businessman how best to develop his business, and he will answer: ‘Find out what people need and sell it to them.’

And what can I give people? Only what I myself possess, or an idea that they will like. And what do I have? God has given me much, and I have accepted and valued it. I go into the world with it, but there people laugh at me and mock me: ‘What God?! Look at the smartphones, bombs and rockets, and entertainment we have!’ And what can I add to this frivolity?

But there is very good news: the world is in need and is experiencing an enormous shortage and a colossal thirst for very precious things that I possess in abundance. The world desires to receive them and searches for them in everything, but it receives only beautiful packaging with nothing inside. People are afraid of deception, but they thirst; they thirst intensely, and they cry out: ‘Sir, we would see Jesus!’ Do you hear this request, friends? Do you hear this thirst in your spouse’s humiliating shouts? Do you hear it in the rebukes of your unbelieving children? Do you hear it from your half-dead brothers and sisters in your beloved church? This request is heard everywhere.

People are tired of hearing about God; now they desire to see Him. They want to see Him in us, in His representatives, in His children. They have hearts buried beneath the darkness of deception and unbelief that God exists, that He is alive, and that He can be touched. And when I hear this request, for some reason I ‘run to Andrew’; after all, he knows what must be done. He surely has it.

The world desires to see love, to see it in me, and to experience how unconditional it is. People do not know what it is. They need the embrace of this love; they want to hear it and immerse themselves in it; they thirst to befriend it, while still possessing freedom, and they desire to see a kind attitude and care directed toward them. Everything that love can give is in demand in the world. We are surrounded by thirsty souls who have not been loved enough, embraced enough, or understood enough, and who are still waiting.

Shall we go and show them Jesus? We have something to show this world. The world thirsts for love, so let us give it love.

Jesus is alive, and He does not object to my being the one through whom He will be revealed to people. And He awaits those whom I will bring to Him, so that He may embrace them with my hands, comfort them with my words, and become their unconditional Friend through my heart. I am not enough for this, but Christ will be enough for everyone. My love is in demand, and the world asks me to show it in response to its malice and hostility. People desire to see Jesus—His love, tenderness, kindness, and friendliness—so let us go and show them these things.

1. What interesting things were revealed to you in this lesson?

2. Why do you think Philip did not approach Jesus directly?

3. Whom do you see yourself as—Philip or Andrew?

4. Who can quench the thirst of modern people?

5. What does the Lord expect from you?

6. Do the people around me need love, attention, care, and kindness?

7. Please read John 12:21–31; Isaiah 6:8; 53:1; 55:1, 5–6; 1 John 3:1; 1:3; 4:15–16; Romans 8:29; 10:14–15, 20; Matthew 28:18–20; Isaiah 61:1, 6, 10–11 in the light of our lesson.