We Want See Jesus
Ok, I know that we are not all gathered together, but we are going to try to have a socially distant singalong. Sounds crazy, right? But crazy things for crazy times, eh? So, everyone game? Even if you're not, we are going to give this a try. The lyrics to a familiar praise chorus are printed below. Everyone ready? Here we go...
Open our eyes, Lord
We want to see Jesus.
To reach out and touch him
And say that we love him
Open our ears, Lord
And help us to listen
Open our eyes, Lord
We want to see Jesus
Ah, the music of angels... That song which puts to music the desire of the Greeks who come to see Jesus as reported in John 12:20-43 which is the Gospel reading the worship committee requested for today. It is not the usual reading for this Sunday. In fact, a portion of this reading is often one I read at graveside services. At first glance I was a bit puzzled by the committee's choice, usually on this Sunday the Passion Narrative from the gospel for the liturgical year (this lectionary year being Matthew) is read in its entirety, and only a very brief commentary on a portion of the reading or on the ocassion is offered. But, as I said before, crazy things for crazy times, eh? And this reading expresses the deep desire of us all, especially in these crazy times.
Turn on the tv or the radio; browse the web; there is no getting away from it COVID-19 dominates everything. Even the commercials have started to become shaped by the viral pandemic. Everywhere we turn we see reminders, we see infection and death counts, we see dire economic predictions... We want to see Jesus... We want to see Jesus...
In John the language and imagery of sight points toward belief, which in John's line of reasoning is not so much about intellectual assent to a group of propositions, as it is simple trust that Jesus is God Incarnate, the Word made flesh who pitches a tent in our midst and abides, dwells, and remains with us. Who by his death, resurrection, and ascension allows us to die each day to self to rise and walk in newness of life, bearing the fruit of belief into the world. Who as we abide/dwell/remain in him draws us close and will not let us go.
In this reading, Jesus' last words in public in John, Jesus begins to lay the groundwork for not only his being lifted up in death on the cross, but also being lifted up into the fullness of divine presence by his resurrection and ascension. And his drawing up of all who believe, who trust, who abide in him also into the fullness of the divine presence. Death does not have the final word. Not about Jesus. Not about us.
COVID-19 does not have the final word about us. But in the midst of the chaos it is hard to hold on to this truth. We want to see Jesus. Jesus is here in the very midst of this pandemic. Jesus is in the desperate gasping for breath of the dying. Jesus is in the efforts and sacrifice of those who care for the infected. I saw on the news the story of an emergency care physician who has made the hard sacrifice of staying away from his family especially his children, so that he doesn't infect them. I don't know about his faith life choices, but in his painful sacrificed, I see Jesus.
The other morning as I took the dog for a walk I saw a police vehicle and a school bus in our apartment complex drive. They were there delivering meals to the children who have had their school taken from them, and lost maybe their best shot at a nutritious meal. I saw Jesus. I saw Jesus in the actions of the of the police officer and the driver. I saw Jesus in the faces of delighted children, and grateful caretakers. I saw Jesus in the efforts of those who cared enough to prepare and provide these meals. I saw Jesus.
Jesus is here. Jesus is now. Jesus reaches out to us and holds us close and gives us the eyes to see and the heart and the will to carry on. So as we approach this strange and unusual Holy Week and Easter celebration, let us once again join together in song...
Open our eyes, Lord
We want to see Jesus.
To reach out and touch him
And say that we love him
Open our ears, Lord
And help us to listen
Open our eyes, Lord
We want to see Jesus
May we each be granted a vision of Jesus and perhaps the grace to be the one who makes Jesus visible in the midst of this strange and chaotic time.
Peace to you all. Be safe. Be true. Be love. Amen.
