Our Gospel this week is John 12:20-33, taken today from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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. And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.
People like the visiting Greeks sought Jesus out to hear His teaching. Word of what He said and did had spread among the people. One told another, some asked the disciples for an introduction, and crowds gathered to listen as He taught.
This word of mouth sharing about what He was doing in the world was the only tool they had available to spread the Good News then. Led and empowered by the Holy Spirit, they told all who would listen of His love and sacrifice for us. Later, some would write letters to be read in far-off communities, others would travel vast distances to visit new groups of believers, all in the name of Jesus.
How do we share the joy of our connection to Jesus with others? Are we active messengers of the truth? We must use our gifts and the wide array of communication methods we have been blessed with to share the Good News with everyone.
Loving Lord, we are grateful to be called to share Your love and lessons. Help us to be energetic disciples in a world that needs to hear Your word. Amen.