"Sir, we wish to see Jesus."

(I originally wrote this article for the January, 2014 edition of CCNConnect. Hope you enjoy it.)

Market Buildings.en.wikipedia.org

What do you want in 2014? In John chapter 12, we are blessed to observe what a group of first century Greeks wanted. We read in verses 20-21,  “Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast; these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’” Their real plea could more accurately be phrased, “Sir, we are desperate to see this man. Please take us to Jesus.”

Driven by a passionate desire to meet the one being hailed as Messiah, these Grecian Jews had traveled to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover. No doubt they’d heard the stories of the miraculous events surrounding this dynamic new rabbi, but they had to see for themselves. Seeking a kindred spirit to assist, they found Phillip: himself a Greek, a disciple, and someone who just happened to be in the thick of ministry alongside the one they sought.

At this time, Jesus and crew were on the move. Having themselves just traveled up from Bethany to Jerusalem for the feast, the group was immersed in the work of the ministry. Jesus was busy from sun up ‘til sun down performing all kinds of signs and wonders. He was teaching and healing and raising the dead, being focused on the people, knowing the time for His departure was close at hand.

So what was Philip’s response to such a plea? He grabbed another disciple, his brother Andrew, and together they head out to locate Jesus. But where do they find Him? He was not hanging out at the local synagogue, on the temple steps, or sitting inside some other holy structure. He wasn’t meditating alone in some isolated, secluded place all by Himself. In other gospel accounts we certainly read of such occurrences, but not this time. That day the disciples found Jesus among the people He came to save.

What do you want in 2014? Is your earnest desire the same as those first century Greeks: to see Jesus? If so, where will you find Him this year? Resting comfortably on a cushioned pew inside our churches, singing songs, listening to a sermon while drinking His latte? Without a doubt, post resurrection and through His Holy Spirit, Christ is indeed today present in our churches and sanctuaries when we gather to worship and lift up His name. And surely we know our God is Omnipresent. That is one of His attributes. But I wonder if we also remember that the Living God is not confined to the inner rooms of the buildings we’ve built in His name. And when it comes to saving souls, could it be that perhaps the church has adopted a mentality which believes that all we have to do to “bring people to Christ” is sit back and wait for them to walk through our front doors. Could that happen? Sure it could! But Jesus did not exhort us to sit and wait for sinners to come to us, did He?

In John 12:26 Jesus said, “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall My servant also be.” So where will His servants find Jesus today? The same place Phillip and Andrew found Him that day in Jerusalem – with the people He came to save.

At this moment Jesus is out and about walking among the people of Sacramento. He’s on the Wall Streets and the Main Streets of our city. He’s in our shopping malls, school rooms, board rooms, and chat rooms. He’s on the fairways and the river banks, at the food banks and at the wedding banquets. He’s on the steps of the court house and in the chambers of the state capital. He’s walking the highways and byways where crowds gather in darkness and few dare to go. He’s at Starbucks with the prostitutes and in the ghettos with the addicts. He’s comforting the widows; feeding the orphans; healing the sick; making the lame walk; opening the eyes of the blind; encouraging the prisoners; touching the untouchable. Wherever sinners congregate and evil reigns; wherever people are weary of the battle and laden with guilt; wherever human souls are hopeless, loveless, and lifeless—that’s were our Jesus can be found. And as His followers, isn’t that where we want to be as well?

So as we begin a new year, maybe it’s time to rethink evangelism. The hour is late and the time is short. Maybe it’s time we focused our attentions outward rather than inward. Maybe it’s time we go where Jesus is and not wait for sinners to come to us. Let’s come together to encourage and build up the faith of the saints, and then get up and go seek and save the lost. Let’s be about our Father’s business out in our communities until every person in the sphere of our influence has heard the gospel. Let’s make 2014 the year of spiritual revival in our city.

Ready? Set? Go!