“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

^“Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him; and the Israelites obeyed him, doing as the Lord had commanded Moses. ¹⁰ Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. ¹¹ He was unequaled for all the signs and wonders that the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants and his entire land, ¹² and for all the mighty deeds and all the terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.” Deuteronomy 34:9-12

One may wonder why the Jews consider Moses the Prophet’s prophet.  It is all here in Deuteronomy 34:10 – 12.  “Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses….the mighty deeds and all the terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.”  Moses had quite the life. Abandoned at birth, he was raised in the court of  a Pharaoh, nursed by his own mother. He fled Egypt after killing a man. He was called by G-d through a burning bush to free his people who had fallen under the strong arm of a relentless and brutal King. He performed magical powers, talked directly with G-d, and in fact had the ability to plead with G-d to save the people when G-d’s anger was kindled against them. Moses was faithful to the end, no matter what happened at the rock at Kadesh (read Numbers 20).

Who are the prophets of today? Who would you name as a “Prophet’s Prophet” in 21^st century America?

Pastor Dave