To See Jesus

Scripture – John 12:17-22: Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!” Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) People who saw what Jesus did with Lazarus kept talking about it. This raised enough curiosity that more and more people went to see Him for themselves. Once again, that’s the goal of our witness – to share what I know of Jesus. Sometimes it’s a story of what I’ve seen Him do in someone else’s life. It’s an ever more powerful story if I tell what He’s done in my life. Over all, though, the goal is to bring people to Jesus themselves – to let them discover who He is.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) A lot of people have so much “stuff” to work through before they can really see Jesus. Some of it’s church-related stuff. Much of it is life stuff. I can’t control what’s gone on in people’s lives. I will look for the church stuff that blocks their view of Christ. I will help them roll those stones to the side and come closer to Him. And I will be aware of things I do that might get in their way.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, you came for the world. Help me lead people to you. Sometimes we have to wind our way through a cluttered maze. But in the end, you are the goal for us all. Remind me of that. Use me today to unblock some paths.