Lesson 10 -- We Would See Jesus

[Daily Sunday School Readings]

Preschool  --  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation. James 1:12

Primary  --  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life. James 1:12

Junior  --  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12

Intermediate  --  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Hebrews 2:9

 

We Would See Jesus

Lesson 10

February 4, 2018

Background Scripture: John 12

Lesson Scripture: John 12:20-26, 44-50

Introduction

God has created us in a way that we are incomplete without Him. Many people do not know Him; their hearts are dark, and they are searching for meaning in life. God sent His son Jesus into the world to be the Light to drive away the darkness and make us whole.

The aim of this lesson is to show us that dying to self opens up a walk of humility in which we truly see Jesus and experience the blessings of being His disciple. When we are personally acquainted with Jesus, we can direct others to Him.

Key Verse

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man (Heb. 2:9).

Lesson Scripture

JOHN 12:20 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 Jesus.

22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.

23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.

45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.

46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

49 For I have not spoken of myself but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

Studying the Lesson

Our lesson takes place during the few days between Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and His crucifixion. Many people were coming to the city from the surrounding areas to participate in the Passover. Among these were Greeks who came to worship and who requested to see Jesus. It is uncertain if these were Grecian Jews, Greek proselytes to the Jewish faith, or Greek gentiles. Regardless of their ethnicity, they were seekers. Because Philip and Andrew both came to tell Jesus that these people wanted to see Him, we can assume they wanted to see Jesus more than with their natural eyes. Obviously they had heard of Him and maybe even listened to His preaching. Was there a stirring in their hearts that caused them to realize that Jesus offered something worth seeking?

Jesus acknowledged their request and pointed them to the way to see Him in spirit. He foretold of His death and taught how they too must be willing to sacrifice their earthly life in order to obtain eternal life. Jesus also taught that if any person would obediently follow Him, the Father would acknowledge him.

The concluding verses of our lesson Scripture were some of the last words Jesus preached to the public. He passionately pointed to the truth that the conditions needed to accept Him were the same conditions needed to know the Father. However, because of the pride of their hearts and their misled expectations, people found it hard to accept Jesus as Messiah (John 1:11). Initially, the disciples also found it difficult to understand Jesus' purpose. Even at the Last Supper, Philip asked Jesus to show him the Father. Jesus again reminded him, "He that bath seen me hath seen the Father?' If we want to know who God is, and what His character is like, we should become personally acquainted with Jesus.

Jesus is the light that drives out spiritual darkness. Too many of Jesus' listeners rejected Jesus' teaching because they were unwilling to place a judgment on their lives. They reasoned away His message and made excuses for their conduct; nevertheless, Jesus' words were truth and needed no defense. His Word will be the standard for judgment when all people stand before the Great Judge. Those who reject Jesus will be cast away from God in eternity. On the other hand, those who accept Jesus and keep His commandments will have eternal life.

Practical Truths for Today

What is the rest of the story about those Greeks? It is obvious that they were seeking, but did they find spiritual life? Though God calls all souls to salvation, unfortunately, many are like the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:22 who counted the cost and turned away.

Jesus came to earth in humble fashion. Everything about His lifestyle was modest and simple. He was poor and never owned a place to lay His head. The prophet Isaiah said that He had "no beauty that we should desire Him" (Isa. 53:2), and "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" (v. 3). Although Jesus is the highly exalted Son of God, yet He humbled Himself, took the form of a servant, and became obedient unto death on the cross (Phil. 2:7-8). As Christians, we are called to be the off-scouring of the earth (1 Cor. 4:13).

Jesus said, "If any man serve me, let him follow me." Those who want to see Jesus must be willing to follow Him. We must be willing to die to self by surrendering our will to God. Jesus also said, "Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:33). When we willingly give Jesus everything—our time, money, friends, family, reputation, and career—we will have a rewarding life of discipleship. If in our Christian experience we continue to bear fruits of carnality and live in a cycle of broken promises, we need to return to the cross and surrender to Jesus.

We sing, "Can the world see Jesus when they look at your life?"' People around us need to see Jesus in our lives. What are ways we can show Him to others? Paul said, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me" (Gal. 2:20). When Jesus' Spirit lives in the believer's heart, he is conscious of those around him and aware of their needs. The light of truth, coupled with the radiance of love, emanates from his life. Like John the Baptist, let us decrease so that the life of Jesus can increase in us. As God sanctifies us, our witness becomes more effective. In our lesson scripture, Jesus deflected the focus from Himself and directed it to His Father. Jesus said that He spoke not of Himself; rather, He spoke the words that the Father gave Him. Lest we draw attention to ourselves, let us focus on bringing glory to our heavenly Father.

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35). We glorify God when we love others from our heart and overcome the evil of our depravity by His power in our life. Jesus said that men will glorify God when they see our good works (Matt. 5:16). Just like a seed must die to germinate and produce fruit, we also will bring forth spiritual fruit when our carnal man dies. This miracle of love is wrought by God and is not of our own effort. We can try by self-effort to produce good fruit, but the result is not genuine and leaves us feeling unfulfilled, disillusioned, and discouraged.

The way of Jesus looks hard to the unconverted person, but when he comes to Jesus for spiritual life, his vision clears, and he sees things differently. God's promises are true. His yoke is easy and His meek and lowly way frees us from the pressure of self-promotion. God rewards our feeble efforts with lasting blessings. We no longer pursue the fleeting, empty dreams of the carnal man. The blessings of seeing Jesus and following Him are great; however, the best is yet to come. We have the promise that someday we will see Him face to face and reign forever (Rev. 22:3-5).

Questions

1. Discuss areas of life where we are challenged to follow Jesus.

2. What are some telltale signs that we love the praise of men more than the praise of God (John 12:43)?

3. How do we help those who see Christian life as conforming to a set of rules, rather than having a spiritual relationship with Christ?

4. What is the way to be delivered from the spiritual drowsiness that blinds our eyes and hardens our hearts, of which we may be unaware?

1 Leland Smucker, Inspirational Songs for Men No. 3, "Can the World See Jesus in You?"