Читать книгу Beyond the Horizon - Harry A. Renfree - Страница 80

March 14

Many years ago, I was asked to preach in Olivet Baptist Church, New Westminster, British Columbia. I have not forgotten that initial experience. It was sobering.

Tucked at the back of the pulpit, where only the preacher could see it, there was a small metallic notice bearing just five words: “Sir, we would see Jesus.” Those words brought me up short on that occasion. I asked myself, “What am I doing up here?”

“Sir, we would see Jesus” were words first asked by a group of foreigners who had come to worship with the Jews at their celebration of the Feast of the Passover. Obviously, they were God–fearing men. They were a group of Greeks who had heard of the activities of Christ, including the raising of Lazarus. Learning of His presence nearby, they wanted to meet Him. Coming up to Philip, one of the apostles, they made the request: “Sir, we would see Jesus.” Moving in toward his Master, Philip passed on the request to Andrew, and the two of them went on to Jesus.

It was a significant moment in Jesus’ life and ministry. First, He had come as Messiah . . . Savior . . . to His own people. Now, “The hour has come,” He responded to Philip and Andrew. A little later in John 12:32, He added, “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself”—just as those Greeks had been drawn. Salvation, which Jesus offers, is for all.

Back to the little sign. Those words mean that when we stand up to share God’s good news, our hearers don’t want to see or hear us, but the One whose ambassador we are trying to be—Jesus. Sometimes, even as Christians, our lives loom so large that our Master cannot be seen or heard. We Christians are really to be channels that lead to Christ.