Your Peeps

John 12:20-22 - 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.” Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

How do you feel when you are the stranger? For most of us, it is not comfortable at all. When entering a group where everyone knows each other but you know no one, you probably want to leave. However, when a friend comes with you and introduces you that stress level drops off dramatically.

In describing the events of Palm Sunday, John takes an interval to tell us about some Greeks who wanted to meet Jesus. We do not get to know a lot about them, but we do know they were strangers in town. Jesus was very popular that day. The Greeks were probably very intimidated and fearful as strangers, but they really wanted to see Jesus. So, they went up to one of Jesus’ disciples with the very Greek name of Philip, and he sought another disciple with a Greek name (Andrew). They had both brought people to Jesus before (see John 1:40 & 45 and 6:8), so they used their networking skills again, and they introduced these Greeks to Jesus. Those Greeks got to hear Jesus’ message of eternal life and be invited to live forever with him. (See John 12:25-26 and 35-36)

We do not know for sure if it was Philip and Andrew’s “Greekness” that made them more approachable for the Greeks, but we do know from our own experience that we often feel better with people “like us” in one way or another. It may be your nationality, your favorite sports team, your musical preference, or working for the same company, but the commonalities you share with another can be a bridge for a life changing relationship. Find what you share in common with those around you and seek to do life together. If you know Jesus, bring your friends to him. If you do not know him yet, ask me. Introducing you to Jesus would be the greatest joy of my life.

 

 

Are You a Doer?

John 12:1-2 - Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table.

Some people get things done. They are task-focused people. They see a need and work to meet it. Lazarus’ sister Martha shows up this way more than once in the New Testament. She is best known from Luke 10. While Martha was working hard serving Jesus and the disciples, she got angry at her sister sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to his teaching. Jesus responded to her by saying, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

Here again in John 12 Martha was serving and Mary was again at Jesus’ feet, this time pouring expensive perfume on them. Her action was again praised by Jesus. I wonder if Martha resented the lack of appreciation for her efforts. Jesus and the disciples would have gone hungry without someone working to prepare their meals. Even in today’s world, everything we have is a result of someone’s work. If we just stood around and talked we would never accomplish anything. Doers are critical to sustaining human life and advancing civilization.

Back in John 11, Martha showed that even the doers can be people of faith. When Jesus came to Bethany after Lazarus had died, Martha came out to meet him while Mary stayed in the house and wept over her brother. Martha uttered words of great faith. “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” (John 11:24) “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” (John 11:27)

The truth is we need doers to do their work for all to live a decent life, but even doers need to remember that relationships are vital. We need time to listen. We especially need time to worship at Jesus’ feet. May you keep a life filled with a healthy balance of both work and worship.