March 7th Virtual Worship

March 7, 2021 Pastor Marc Hayden

Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Matthew Leone, Rene Vazquez

Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden

Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger

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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:

Journeying with John; We Want to See Jesus

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.

[Reading above - John 12: 20 - 26]

John chapter 12 is a transition point in John’s telling of the story of Jesus. We are moving from the Book of Signs that explore the identity and mission of Jesus to the Book of Glory that recounts and adds meaning to the death and resurrection of Jesus. Today’s passage announces, “the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified”. The interest and inquiry of Gentiles prompts this announcement. This seems to be the fulfillment of Jesus’ earlier statement (10:16): “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”

Questions for Reflection:

“Come and see” is the invitation to discipleship in John’s gospel. What did you see that moved you to follow Jesus? What do others see in your words and actions that extend an invitation to discipleship?
The Gentiles in this story are Greek. Is it a surprise that they came to and found advocacy from the disciples whose names are derived from the Greek language? Note a similar story in Acts 6:1-6. Does this suggest the wisdom of knowing when to step aside so others can be empowered to serve and lead? Who needs to be empowered in our community?
Jesus understood the timeliness of his mission and purpose. What do the times say about your life and purpose?
How might the hope of “one flock, one shepherd” offer a unity that might even transcend the angry and hateful polarization of our time? How can your discipleship build a bridge instead of a wall?