20Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
Thoughts: What is it about those Greeks? I see it as the proof of the statement just made by the Pharisees in yesterday's reading: "look the whole world is going after him." Indeed, this message of Jesus is not going to stay in Palestine but go forth from there to the whole world. It is interesting that the 'Greeks' go up to Philip, who then goes to ask Andrew, who then approaches Jesus. You see Philip is a Greek name (lover of horses) and so is Andrew (Manly) and perhaps this is showing us all along that the Gospel is bigger than just the fulfillment of Israel's story. Of course Jesus quickly turns to a discussion about his death, and it seems as if he realizes that his mission is salvation, not conversation. The Greeks will need to wait until after his death and resurrection, for it is only in understanding these that you can truly 'see Jesus."
Questions: Has anyone ever asked you to help them find Jesus? If they did, where would you start?
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