March 26, 2024
Today’s Reading: Mark 14:1-15:47, John 12:20-50
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 9:29-10:20, Lamentations 2:1-22, Hebrews 3:1-19
Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” (John 12:20-21)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. I have this phrase, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus,” on my pulpit, staring back at me each and every time I climb up there to give a sermon. I have it up there to remind me that I have only one job to do: Preach Jesus. If I fail to do that simple, but momentous, task then I have failed to do what my Lord has called me to do and I have failed to give my congregation what they need.
Pastors sometimes get into the habit of wanting to be kitschy, wanting to entertain their congregations with the new and coolest theology. Pastors are sinners too, and sometimes the foolishness of the cross just seems too darn foolish to preach each and every single Sunday. But if it was good enough for St. Paul (“For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” Corinthians 2:2) then it should be good enough for your pastor.
Notice what happens in our text after the Greek travelers told Philip that they wanted to see Jesus… Philip goes to Andrew, and then Andrew and Philip go and tell Jesus and immediately Jesus starts talking about His crucifixion. It’s in coded language of course, using words like “hour for the Son of Man to be glorified,” and “when I am lifted up from the earth,” but it is all there for those who have ears to hear it. Meaning that when Jesus wants you to know something about Him He wants you to know nothing apart from the cross.
If the cross isn’t part of the equation then the answer is going to be wrong, and I’m not talking about some throw-away line at the end. If your pastor’s sermon doesn’t have Christ’s death as the cornerstone then go up to Him after the service and ask to see Jesus.
This is Holy Week. Everything that has to do with Christ centers around this week, centers around the crucifixion, because the cross is the only reason why God became incarnate: to die for you. If you don’t get Christ and Him crucified every Sunday, demand that you do! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth, The guilt of sinners bearing And, laden with the sins of earth, None else the burden sharing; Goes patient on, grows weak and faint, To slaughter led without complaint, That spotless life to offer, He bears the stripes, the wounds, the lies, The mockery, and yet replies, “All this I gladly suffer.” (LSB 438:1)
– Pastor Eli Lietzau is pastor of Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.
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