Sir, We Would See Jesus

"Sir, we would see Jesus." John 12:21

This was the request of certain Greeks to the disciples when they heard about the Lord. We can’t see Him today. He's ascended to the Father's right hand in glory. There He will remain until the great Day of Days. This means we cannot hear Him as they did, with His audible voice of peace. We can’t see Him performing miracles, preaching, teaching, and healing. Yet while we can’t see Him with our eyes, we may see Him by faith in all His saving wonder in His Word. Still, these Greeks should be imitated. Jesus should be seen.

Many never think of searching for Him at all. He’s not in a few, let alone all their thoughts. They experience His providences and ignore it, or worse, either complain or boast. They read or hear the Word, sometimes to question its mysteries, sometimes to justify a doctrine, yes, even to do their duty, but never to see Him. They attend the services out of habit, to please their friends, or quiet their conscience, but never to meet the Lord. The sad fact is, however, if Jesus is not seen, all that surrounds Him is empty. Unless He's in view, all ordinances of religion are unprofitable, and the soul is sent away empty.

But there are those who see Jesus.

The newly awakened sinner groaning beneath a weight of guilt, mourning the pollution of indwelling sin, sees Him… suffering and dying in his place.

The prodigal returning from his wanderings sees Him craving the neck-kiss of forgiveness and acceptance.

The saint overwhelmed with life’s dark days, sees Him, finding his title to heaven remains unmoved.

The perplexed and troubled ask to see Him so they may receive guidance, help, and comfort on their weary way. Dear one, heaven comes to earth when the soul sees Christ by faith. And He graciously waits to show Himself.

Blessed are they that say to their minister, "Sir, we would see Jesus." He who satisfies the hungry with good things, and sends no true seeker empty away. But let us acknowledge our part in His dealings with us, shall we? Let us confess together, "If I'm never found in His chambers again, I must blame myself, and not Him." Oh, how often have I made my Lord stand outside knocking when He’s offering to come in and sup with me. I was busy entertaining others when I should have been entertaining Him.

Now is the time to call to mind:

His love, and my ingratitude.

His gracious promise, and my weak faith.

His constant thoughts of me, and my little thought of Him.

We read that the disciples were so bold in the cause of Christ that the world marveled that they had been with Jesus. Lord, may they say this of me too.

"Sir, we would see Jesus.” Is that the cry of our hearts?