Theme For Open Heavens Devotional 14 August 2019 – WE WOULD SEE JESUS.
MEMORY VERSE:
The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, WE WOULD SEE JESUS. “ John 12:21
BIBLE READING: John 12:15-23
15. Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.
16. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
17. The people therefore that was with Him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
18. For this cause the people also met Him, for that they heard that He had done this miracle.
19. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? Behold, the world is gone after Him.
20. And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
21. The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, WE WOULD SEE JESÚS.
22. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. Amen
23. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
MESSAGE:
A. Philip’s action following the request of the Greeks who wanted to see Jesus brings to mind the general restrictive attitude of The Disciples whenever anyone sought to have audience with The Lord.
1. The very ones who were supposed to make Jesus accessible to everyone did their best at different times to keep people away from Him.
2. THEY FORBADE CHILDREN from coming close to Him in Matthew 19:13-14
3. Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
4. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of Heaven.
5. They TRIED TO SEND THE HUNGRY CROWD AWAY in Luke 9:12-13
6. And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto Him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.
7. But He said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.
8. And in Matthew 15:23, THEY TOLD JESÚS TO CHASE AWAY THE SYRO-PHONECIAN WOMAN who came to get help for her daughter.
9. Matthew 15:23-24 “But He answered her not a word. And His Disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
10. But He answered and said, I Am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
11. Two of His disciple, James and John, even TRIED TO CALL DOWN FIRE ON THOSE WHO HINDERED THEIR WAY
12. Luke 9:54 “And when His Disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
B. Why were THE DISCIPLES SO PROTECTIVE OF JESÚS, to the point of being hostile to some of those who wanted to have access to Him?
1. They were obviously VERY PROTECTIVE OF JESÚS, probably thinking He was TOO BUSY TO BE DISTURBED with what they considered to be petty issues.
2. I may not have the exact answer to this question but can authoritatively tell you one thing: whatever you do, DON’T LET ANY “DISCIPLE” KEEP YOU AWAY FROM JESÚS!
3. DON’T ALLOW ANYONE TO PREVENT YOU FROM GETTING YOUR MIRACLE.
4. Every disciple of Jesus Christ should consciously AVOID SPEECHES or ACTIONS THAT COULD KEEP ANYONE away from Him.
5. After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, His acceptance and popularity among the people reached its peak, resulting in His triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
6. This also caused the plot to murder Him by the Jewish Religious Leaders to reach the climax.
7. It is against this background that the Greeks who sort Jesus visited Jerusalem for the imminent Passover feast.
C. They must have witnessed CHRIST’S TRIUMPHANT ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM,
1. And would have heard that HE Was THE PROMISED MESSIAH FROM THE TRIBE OF JUDAH.
2. They would also have heard the rumors making the round that HE WAS TO TAKE PROCESSION OF DAVID’S THRONE AND REIGN AS KING OVER THE JEWS.
3. The expectation at that time was that SOMETHING OF GREAT IMPORTANCE, NOT ONLY to THE JEWISH NATION, but to THE WHOLE WORLD, was about to take place and they were right.
4. At that time Christ knew He was approaching THE CONSUMMATION of HIS MINISTRY here on earth.
5. Therefore, when He heard the eager cry of the Greeks saying to Philip, “Sir, WE WOULD SEE JESÚS,”
6. He immediately knew in HIS SPIRIT that THE TIME HAS COME FOR HIM TO BE GLORIFIED through HIS DEATH and HIS RESURRECTION.
7. Their enquiry confirmed to Him that HIS SACRIFICIAL OFFERING would bring all those who believe in Him all over the world into perfect harmony with God.
8. GOD’S KINGDOM was about to be perfected and extended throughout the whole earth.
9. The desire of these Greeks therefore prompted the commencement of HIS VOLUNTARY SELF-SACRIFICE
10. John 12:27 “Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.”
11. I pray that your efforts to see Jesus will yield positive results beginning from today in Jesus’ Name. Amen!
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please don’t let my speech or action keep anyone away from You, in Jesus’ Name. Amen!
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 15-16
Ezekiel 33:21-33
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN: LET OTHERS SEE JESUS IN YOU.
1.While passing thro’ this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.
Refrain:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story, be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.
2. Your life’s a book before their eyes,
They’re reading it thro’ and thro’
Say, does it point them to the skis,
Do others see Jesus in you?
Refrain
3. Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave and true,
and lead the lost to life and Christ.
Let others see Jesus in you.
Refrain:
EMMANUEL=GOD WITH US!
Credit – Pastor E. Adeboye