“Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. ²¹ They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” ²² Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. ²³ Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. ²⁴ Very 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. ²⁵ Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶ Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.”  John 12:20-26

How do we respond when strangers come to us and say, “We want to see Jesus”???  Do we run and tell others that we know of people who want to see Jesus and leave them behind like Philip and Andrew? As we read this text more closely, we have no sense whether the Greeks ever got to see Jesus. Do we intend for others to see Jesus? Absolutely. But, upon reflection, do our actions, intentional or unintentional, leave the stranger standing on the outside simply seeking Jesus but never finding him? 

We should run, not walk, when others are seeking Jesus. But we should also offer them our hands to lead them. It is proven that people are more likely to come to church when others invite them, and actually make arrangements to bring them. And once they are in our midst, they will make a quick decision whether they will return. That is why we should do all we can to include them and make them feel welcome.

Pastor Dave