Seeing Jesus

John 12:20-33

One day, late in Jesus’ ministry, some Greeks come to the disciples. They say to Andrew, “We wish to see Jesus,” they said. Andrew checks with Philip, and the two go together to tell Jesus about the visitors. Word about Jesus has reached foreign ears and hearts. We never learn if the Greeks actually get to see Jesus, because John only reports Jesus’ reply about seeds and timing.

Apparently, this visit, this interest in him by those thought of as outsiders, signals that the end is near for Jesus. Jesus talks instead about how seeds look dead, but planted in the earth, they rise again and bear fruit. He goes on to insist that his followers will also be like seeds, giving up their lives so they can have eternal life. … Jesus says more in this passage, but this is enough for us to focus on.

… Today is March 17, a day when people honor St Patrick by eating corned beef and drinking green beer. There are many legends about Patrick, and few facts. Here is some of what we know to be true about him. He was born in England, where his father was a deacon in the church. When he was 16, Patrick was captured by Irish raiders and held prisoner in Ireland for six years. He escaped back to England, where he heard God’s voice telling him to return to Ireland.

He studied Christianity and after 15 years, he was ordained. Then Patrick returned to Ireland where his calling was to minister to the Christians already living there, and to introduce Jesus to those who followed native Irish beliefs. He used their traditions and images to help them know about Jesus. For example, the sun was a powerful image for these folks, so he added a sun to the Christian cross, forming what we now know as the Celtic cross. They lit fires to worship their gods, so Patrick used fire to symbolize Easter. I imagine him saying, in an adaptation of what the Greeks said to Andrew, “I want you to see Jesus.”

… How do we see Jesus today? In the text from John 12, Jesus talks about the seeds as symbolizing his own life, death, and resurrection. We don’t have to be farmers or gardeners to understand the message hidden in seeds. We know that the seed, which looks quite dead, will rise from the earth as if by magic. We know that the seed must be laid on or into the soil, and that it needs sun and water in appropriate amounts at the appropriate time in order to sprout. We know that a single seed bears 10- or 100-fold, especially a thistle weed in a Florida lawn in March. 😊  

Jesus told the disciples that like a seed planted in the earth, he needed to die in order to be raised to eternal life. Jesus was also saying that the disciples and followers, including us today, needed to intentionally give up their lives, be willing to die if necessary, so that others could “see Jesus.”

… Here’s a story. I hope you’ll see the connection as I did. Mike and I often watch Young Sheldon on Thursday nights. In case you don’t know the story, Sheldon and Missy are teenage twins, with Sheldon being a mathematic genius with limited social skills, and Missy being a “normal” girl. This week, three main stories: one about Missy planning a party; one about Sheldon and friends trying to make money with a computer program; and the third about Mom Mary discovering a TV preacher selling the Prosperity Gospel.

Mary at first resists what the Reverend Travis Lemon is saying, but soon decides to believe his interpretation of Jesus’ promises for abundance. She sends him money the family can’t afford and waits for the abundance of money to roll in.

Mary’s husband George points out that the amount she sent was a week’s worth of food for the family. When Mary insists that they will soon receive an abundance of cash, George goes to see their pastor, who agrees to talk with Mary.

Mary insists to Pastor Jeff that they will soon be rolling in money because Reverend Lemon said so. Pastor Jeff explains that Jesus just doesn’t work that way. Mary isn’t convinced, but Pastor Jeff has planted a seed.

Mary goes outside to pray and ask for a sign – which turns out to be a glob of bird-do on her forehead. The negative signs abound over the next few hours, and on Sunday, the family is in church with Pastor Jeff.

Here’s the connection I found: both George and Pastor Jeff try to help Mary see the real Jesus. Their words plant seeds of doubt about Reverend Lemon’s lies, and grow to reveal the truth of Jesus’ words. It is only as Mary has time to process and lets Spirit work in her heart that she can see the real Jesus.

… We believe Jesus is present, even if we can’t see him. Perhaps just as often, we have the opportunity to help others see him, too, as George and Pastor Jeff did with Mary, as Patrick did with the early Irish folks. Knowing and sharing his stories, his words and deeds, can guide us in conversations with those who don’t know him, or don’t know him well.

We also can help people see Jesus by doing what Jesus did: welcoming all as children of God, healing and feeding them. This week, I pray you will look for Jesus, and for opportunities to help others see him. Amen