A Word from John 12

If you wanted to find Jesus today, where would you look for him? Would you go to a mountain trail or a spot at the beach where you've experienced the Lord's presence in the past? Would you go to church and spend some time seeking him in the quiet of the sanctuary? Would you turn to the scriptures or spend some time in prayer? If you wanted to find Jesus, where would you look for him?

Well, in today's word from John 12, we hear about some folks who wanted to find Jesus. It was Passover season. And according to the gospel, "among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip...and said to him, 'Sir, we wish to see Jesus.'" (12:20-21)

Well, Philip went and told Andrew. And together, they went to find Jesus. And when they found him, Jesus said, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 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. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also." (12:23-26)

You see, Jesus had spent his entire ministry laying down his life for the sake of those who needed what God wanted to give. The sinful who needed grace. The outcasts who needed acceptance. The poor who needed to be fed. The sick who needed healing. The discouraged who needed hope.

In short, Jesus said that he'd be found among the lost and the least ~ and that being there would lead ultimately to a cross. And then he made it clear that those who serve him will follow him. And where he's found is where we, too, will be.

So maybe the better question is, "Where should people look for us today?" May we be found with Jesus, loving and serving others as he loved and served. Amen.