LS-02-We Would See Jesus
We Would See Jesus
John 12:21. The words were those of certain Greeks who came with the throng of Jews to worship at the passover feast. The knowledge of Jesus and His helpful ministry had extended beyond the bounds of Palestine, and had awakened interest and enquiry in hearts other than those of His own people. The request thrilled our Lord with sudden joy. He saw in the coming of these men from afar the firstfruits of that innumerable company from all nations and kindreds and peoples and tongues who would be redeemed unto God through the sacrifice He was about to make. "The hour is come," He said, "that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a grain of wheat fall into the earth and die, it abideth by itself alone; but if it die, it beareth much fruit." The vision of the joy that was set before Him was clouded for a moment by the thought of sacrifice. Human-like, He shrank from the ordeal it involved. "Now is My soul troubled," He said, "what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour." But only for a moment. At once there came the triumphant assertion in His will to accomplish the long purpose of God. "For this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify Thy name." And in the assurance of His Father He went unfalteringly on to betrayal and death.
We, too, would see Jesus. He who died is alive for ever more. We believe that He died and rose again. We may now know Him in the intimate experience of communion.
"Lord Jesus, make Thyself to me
A living bright reality;
More present to faith’s vision keen
Than any outward object seen;
More dear, more intimately nigh
Than e’en the sweetest earthly tie."
Thus, while we partake of these symbols before us in remembrance, our communion together would lack much if it were not also communion with Him, our living and glorified Redeemer. While the emblems turn our thoughts to the work of redemption accomplished by Christ in the clays of His flesh, they also signify to us our reception of those life-giving influences which come to us through the presence of, the Christ who lives in men. While we appreciate the wonder of redemption in the finished work of Christ, may we know the living presence of Him who abides with His people till the end of the age.
"We would see Jesus-the great Rock-foundation,
Whereon our feet were set with sovereign grace;
Not life, nor death, with all their agitation,
Can thence remove us, if we see His face."