“The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.” (John 12:21)
It happened during the feast of Passover when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. The people having been present, and some having heard Lazarus had been raised from the dead, rejoiced thinking this was their Messiah. They shouted and danced, waved palm leaves and spread them before Him as He entered Jerusalem. There were people from all over that had come to worship the God of Abraham at this feast that were not Jewish.
It’s hard to understand how some Greeks had come to know about the God of the Jews. But in chapter 7 of John when Jesus was hinting of His death and resurrection, the Jews reveal something about that time. “Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto Him that sent Me. Ye shall seek Me, and shall not find Me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come. Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will He go, that we shall not find Him? will He go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?” (John 7:33-35) Different translations translated the word “Jews” to Jewish leaders. By the manner they are speaking, they may have been Pharisees. Also in some other translations, the word Gentiles has been translated Greeks. Whichever, we find that there are dispersed Jews in Gentile countries that are teaching about their God, the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob (Israel). And these Greeks came to worship God in Jerusalem during the Passover. Then hearing about Jesus, they want to meet Him. (John 12:20, 21)
In those days there were those who were not Jews that believed in God. All the mighty miracles that God had done for the Jews was known throughout the nations at that time. The temple had a section known as the court of the Gentiles or outer court in which gentile believers could come and worship with the Jews. So, there were non-Jews at the Passover. Later in Acts, during the Feast of Harvest, also known as Feast of Weeks or Day of First Fruits which occurs 50 days after Passover and is today known as the Christian feast day of Pentecost, there were many from many nations in Jerusalem. This occurred after the ascension of Jesus to heaven. “And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.” (Acts 2:5) It was at this time that the disciples of Jesus in the upper room, filled with the Holy Spirit and boldness to witness, came out and preached Jesus to all the people, Jews and Gentiles. (Acts 2)
But these Greeks at the Passover feast, hearing of Jesus, hearing about the miracles and now seeing the grand entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem want to meet Jesus. An important point that applies to us is that they heard about the miracles of Jesus. They had not been present at the miracles. They heard from the people who had been present at these miracles. This tells us how important it is to speak of the miracles the Lord has done in our lives. Every day is a miracle day for us. The Lord is present, opening doors that were shut, strengthening our spirits in the difficulties of life, leading and guiding us by the Holy Spirit and orchestrating what may seem like coincidences but are appointed moments that the Lord sets up. These are besides the impossibilities that God has made possible for us. Speak to whoever will listen.
These Greeks heard about Jesus and wanted to meet Him. When we speak about the Lord to those who don’t know Him, they too will want to meet Jesus. Have a testimony on your lips ready to share. “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14) That word “preacher” doesn’t mean a pastor or minister of the Word of God, but one who proclaims. We are all called to proclaim the goodness of God. John proclaimed, “ That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” (1John 1:3) We can say the same when we proclaim our testimony of the goodness of the Lord. “What God has done for me, He will do for you.”
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