Sir, We Would See Jesus

TEXT: John 12:20-21

Introduction: Mary had anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her own hair; Jesus had entered the city of Jerusalem on the colt of an ass fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah; Now certain Greeks had approached Phillip and said, "Sir, we would see Jesus."

There are many who have no doubt desired to see Jesus – Many come to church, many to individuals, many read books! What is it about the Person of Jesus that so intrigues people? For the past 2,000 years, leaders, cults, and governments have sought to eradicate the Name of Jesus, yet they have failed!

People in foreign lands have been suppressed, censored, and subjected to cruel torments because of the name of Jesus!

Without a doubt, the Name of Jesus has caused more controversy than has any other name ever spoken!

We can learn much concerning the Name of Jesus in the Word of God:

Matthew 1:21 – "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."

Matthew 24:5 – "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."

Mark 9:38 – "And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name….."

Mark 11:9 – "And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:"

John 2:23 – "Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did."

John 20:31 – "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."

Acts 2:21 – "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be saved."

Acts 3:6 – "Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise and walk."

Acts 5:40 – "And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go."

Acts 9:27 – Barnabas testified that Paul preached boldly in the name of Jesus Christ.

Acts 15:26 – "Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of Lord Jesus Christ."

Acts 4:12 – "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

There are many ways in which people "See Jesus" – Let us consider from the Word of God how people have seen Him.

I. Different Ways People Have Seen Jesus

A. People in the Bible saw Jesus different ways

1. Shepherds/Wise Men – They SAW Jesus as the King.

2. Herod – He SAW Jesus as a Competitor.

3. Multitudes – They SAW Jesus as a Provider.

4. Religious Leaders – They SAW Jesus as a Threat.

5. Peter – He SAW Jesus as the Christ.

6. Religious – They SAW Jesus a good Teacher.

7. Oppressed – They SAW Jesus as a Deliverer.

8. Romans – They SAW Jesus as an Insurrectionist.

9. Sincere Seekers – They SAW Jesus as the Savior.

B. HOW DO YOU SEE JESUS?

1. "Sir, We Would See Jesus" (John 12:20-21)

2. In our text, certain Greeks came "desiring to see Jesus".

3. Phillip then went to Andrew, and Andrew and Phillip both went to tell Jesus what these Greeks had requested of them.

4. Jesus then gives a short discourse in order to help those in attendance better "SEE Him".

II. See Jesus as the Submissive Son (John 12:23; 34-43)

A. Jesus, the Son of God, became the Son of Man in order that He might provide for a means of salvation.

B. Jesus IS very God and very man at the same time.

C. At no time did Jesus cease to be God while in the flesh! He became man in order that He might die on Calvary!

III. See Jesus as the Suffering Sacrifice (John 12:24-33)

A. Jesus came into this world to "seek and save the lost".

B. He came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give His life a ransom for many.

C. Yes, we shall only SEE Jesus when we see Him as "God in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, ….." (2 Corinthians 5:19)

IV. See Jesus as the Satisfying Sovereign (John 12:44-50)

A. Trusting Christ is the only means of salvation –

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

B. We have the promise of God that in so doing we have eternal life.

C. Notice that the Lord Jesus Christ declares equality with the Father.

CONCLUSION:

HAVE YOU SEEN JESUS AS THE "SUBMISSIVE SON OF GOD?"

HAVE YOU SEEN JESUS AS THE "SUFFERING SACRIFICE?"

HAVE YOU SEEN JESUS AS THE "SATISFYING SOVEREIGN?"

If so, Have YOU Trusted Him as your Savior? "For if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)

Sir, We Would See Jesus