We Would See Jesus
Saved Pt 4
Introduction
John 12:20–28
20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: 21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. 28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
This is the final instalment of the short series titled “Saved”.
A series that began to address the heresy circulating today that Salvation is Conditional upon the acts or beliefs of the individual AFTER he has been “Saved”.
Such a belief not only destroys the effective ministry and joy of those who are saved, it denies all that the Bible teaches concerning both the Gospel and Jesus Christ himself.
Who he is.
Why He Came
What He Did
Wherefore He Lives.
While most Christians who truly are saved do not hold to this idea, most however yet live not truly understanding all the joy contained in the gospel related to those four points noted.
The do not yet truly “see Jesus”, but retain a focus on themselves.
The struggle with the flesh being primary.
Therefore in this final instalment my greatest desire is that you might “see Jesus”, to know;
Who he is.
Why He Came
What He Did
Wherefore He Lives.
That you might live that full life of victory IN HIM ALONE.
That you might EXAGGERATE JESUS, and diminish self. That ‘he might increase’ and that ‘you might decrease’ (Jn 3:30)
The context of the passage is clear.
Timing of this enquiry is just after the triumphal entry of Christ and before his crucifixion.
Here we have some gentiles, people like you and I, that have approached Phillip, one of the disciples of Jesus, to ask after him;
“Saying, Sir, we would see Jesus”.
It is framed not so must as a request but nor is it a demand, it is more of an expectation, “Sir we would see Jesus”.
Perhaps they had only heard of him buy the hearing of the ear, perhaps they were there seeing Jesus approach unto the gates of the city sitting upon the ass, watching as the jews all cried saying “Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord” (v 13)
Perhaps they were around when Jesus called Lazarus from the tomb, or when Mary anointed his feet with costly oil and wiped with here hair, we do not know.
But we do know that immediately after the desire of the gentiles to see Jesus was told him, the King of Israel, the Lord of lords, Jesus Christ responded with a recognition of the nearness of the culmination of his life purpose;
“saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” (V23-24)
There is no indication in the text that the gentiles were given an audience with Jesus, for Salvation was first to be presented to the Jews before he can be presented to the world of the gentiles.
Nevertheless, the request rings in our ears;
“We would see Jesus”.
It was March 2009 and I was standing behind a lectern in a funeral chapel, it was up to me to begin the audio visual presentation that I had prepared to honour my mother to those who came to pay their respects to myself and my sister after her death a week earlier.
But technology failed me on that day.
For some reason the screen to the public would not show the beauty of my mother that I had on my own screen. I could see her, but they could not see her by sight.
It was left to me to then do all I could to REVEAL her by words.
I was not a very good son.
While I don’t believe I dishonoured my mother, I certainly did not honour her as much as I ought to have, she deserved so much better acknowledgement than that which I gave her in my life.
This corn of wheat had fallen to the ground and died, and so I did all I could to let the people who enquired, to see her as clearly as possible with words heard rather than sight seen.
“We would see Jesus”.
I do not know how well we have honoured Jesus in our lives, but I do know that the manner in which we live our lives testifies to how clearly we see him.
Our reluctance to truly honour Jesus Christ testifies that we do not truly know WHO HE IS.
Our belief we can be “good enough” testifies that we do not truly know WHY HE CAME.
Our thinking that salvation is conditional testifies that we truly do not know WHAT HE DID.
Lastly, Our living in misery with the flesh testifies that we truly do not know WHY THEREFORE HE LIVES.
I miss my mum, she gave me life and I truly wish I did more to honour her in my life.
How many of us will come to the end of our lives wishing we did more to truly honour the one who gave us eternal life?
“We would see Jesus”.
We will not get the opportunity to see Jesus by sight, BUT THE FATHER has done all he can to reveal him with words.
If We Would See Jesus We Would Know Who He Is.
If We Would See Jesus We Would Know Why He Came.
If We Would See Jesus We Would Know Why He Died.
If We Would See Jesus We Would Know Wherefore He Lives.
If We Would See Jesus We Would Know Who He Is.
John 12:20–21
20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: 21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
Our reluctance to truly honour Jesus Christ testifies that we do not truly know WHO HE IS.
He is “God manifest In the flesh.”
1 Timothy 3:16
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh,justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
John 1:1–4
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men……
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 5:22–23
22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
John 14:8–11
8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
Mark 14:60–64
60 And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? 61 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? 62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. (See Dan 7:13-14)
63 Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses? 64 Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.
Revelation 19:11–16
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
If We Would See Jesus We Would Know Who He Is.
If We Would See Jesus We Would Know Why He Came.
John 12:20–21
20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: 21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
Our belief we can be “good enough” testifies that we do not truly know WHY HE CAME.
Luke 19:10
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Mark 10:44–45
44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Romans 3:23
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Mark 16:14–16
14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Isaiah 57:20–21
20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. 21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
Matthew 7:21–23
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
John 20:30–31
30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
If We Would See Jesus We Would Know Who He Is.
If We Would See Jesus We Would Know Why He Came.
If We Would See Jesus We Would Know What He Did.
John 12:20–21
20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: 21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
Our thinking that salvation is conditional testifies that we truly do not know WHAT HE DID.
John 1:29
29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Acts 4:10–12
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Romans 3:25
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
1 Corinthians 15:3–4
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
2 Corinthians 5:18–21
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Our thinking that salvation is conditional testifies that we truly do not know WHAT HE DID.
Galatians 3:13
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Ephesians 1:3–7
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
If We Would See Jesus We Would Know Who He Is.
If We Would See Jesus We Would Know Why He Came.
If We Would See Jesus We Would Know What He Did.
If We Would See Jesus We Would Know Wherefore He Lives.
John 12:20–21
20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: 21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
Lastly, Our living in misery with the flesh testifies that we truly do not know WHY THEREFORE HE LIVES.
1 Cor 15:13-19
13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Hebrews 7:25
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
John 15:4–5
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
2 Timothy 1:12
12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Jude 24
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Our living in misery with the flesh testifies that we truly do not know WHY THEREFORE HE LIVES.
John 6:37–40
37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Hebrews 10:35–39
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
If We Would See Jesus We Would Know Who He Is.
If We Would See Jesus We Would Know Why He Came.
If We Would See Jesus We Would Know What He Did.
If We Would See Jesus We Would Know Wherefore He Lives.
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