"We Wish To See Jesus!" John 12:21-26
March 30, 2026
Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
Holy Monday Devotion 30-March-2026 Devotion Text: John 12:20-26 Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. (21) Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." (22) Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus. (23) But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. (24) Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. (25) He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (26) If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. Devotion Theme: “We Wish To See Jesus!” by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
Episode Notes
Holy Monday Devotion 30-March-2026
Devotion Text: John 12:20-26 Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. (21) Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." (22) Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus. (23) But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. (24) Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. (25) He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (26) If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
Devotion Theme: “We Wish To See Jesus!” by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
I.N.R.I. History records, John 11:47-48 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, "What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. (48) If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation." Two miles from the Temple in Jerusalem was the small town of Bethany, the home of Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus. News travels fast. Lazarus died and was buried for four days. Jesus came to the grief stricken sisters. If only Jesus would’ve been there, Martha thought, her brother would not have died.
Jesus assured her - her brother will rise again. She had listened to Jesus’ preaching the Truth of God’s Word. She knew her brother would rise again at the resurrection on the last day. Do you remember what Jesus said to grieving Martha? John 11:25-26 "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. (26) And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
Jesus walked to Lazarus’ tomb, not for a celebration of life, but to weep. The only wages sin pays out is death. Then commanding the stinking grave opened, He spoke, “Lazarus, come forth!” The dead man lives! Death’s stench is swallowed up the newness of life. Crowds flock from Jerusalem to see Lazarus and Jesus. What could the Pharisees do? They plot to kill Lazarus - remove the proof that Jesus alone is the eternal only begotten Son of God the Father in human flesh - conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary.
The chief Pharisee knew how to eliminate this threat, history records; .John 11:49-50 And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all, (50) nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish." Kill Jesus and all His followers scatter - problem solved. This devilish tactic was used by communists in Russia, China, Cuba and wherever they infiltrate a nation. Ban the Holy Bible. Imprison or kill all Christian clergy and church leaders. Better they die than the nation perish. Satan is uses this strategy today in the Finland, Canada, Great Britain, and even in the U.S..
Another Sabbath comes. The day set apart to be restored with God’s Word preached finding rest in His arms by gathering together to pray. Sunday morning breaks Jerusalem is thrown into a frenzy..the Lord is coming to His Temple. He rides on a borrowed donkey’s colt fulfilling God’s promise through the prophet Zechariah. The pilgrim crowds carpet His path with their cloaks and palm branches. Joyfully singing the 118th Psalm. John 12:13 ....: "Hosanna! 'BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!' The King of Israel!"
The Pharisees see their power unraveling complaining, John 12:19 ...., "You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!"
Remember Jesus’ birth. Gentiles from the East came seeking the One born King of the Jews their advent stirred up Jerusalem. Now history records: Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. (21) Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus."
The outer court in the Temple was the court of the women and Gentiles. Early that Monday morning Jesus overturned the tables of the money changers and sellers driving them out. Mark 11:17 Then He taught, saying to them, "Is it not written, 'MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL NATIONS' ? But you have made it a 'DEN OF THIEVES.'"
These Greeks heard of the God of Israel. Wanting to know more they came to Jerusalem at Passover. Word reached their ears - Jesus has power over death. They seek out a disciple from near their home territory. They want to see Jesus. Not just look at Him. To see Him - speaking His Word to know Him. Gentiles were banned from the inner court reserved only for Jewish men, priests, and Levites. (22) Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.”
Crafty Caiaphas thought if Jesus died - peace wouldl be restored. He’s right. The Holy Spirit teaches: John 11:51-52 Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, (52) and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. Greeks yearn to see Jesus to hear His Word to know Salvation. Finally the hour of our world’s redemption has broken! 23) But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. (24) Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. (25) He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (26) If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”
No sinner sees salvation outside of Jesus’ flesh and blood crucified, risen, and ascended. Now our King once crowned with thorns is gathers all people to Himself by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel into His Body - the One Holy Christian and Apostolic Church.
Poor miserable sinners with consciences crushed by God’s Law. See Jesus! He alone carries your sins. His blood alone washes you clean. See Him - The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world - 100% of your sins, your shame, your guilt, your death, your hell. His stripes heal you - now - and forever. Sin no longer rules over you - SEE the Son sets you free by His Word of the Cross.
Grieving sisters weeping death’s final separation - see Jesus! He is the Resurrection and the Life. Believe in Him! Death is forever broken! The grave forever robbed! The Crucified lives! See Jesus!
Sick and dying. See Jesus! Believe in Him and you never die! Death becomes a brief nap - then you will hear His voice, ‘Arise!” Step forth from your grave clothed with His Life and rejoice forever in the life of the world to come.
Do you believe this? God the Holy Spirit opens your eyes through the Gospel to look only to Jesus - nailed to the cross FOR YOU. Laid into the grave FOR YOU. Physically risen in His Human Body FOR YOU. Ascending to the Father’s right hand your Brother enthroned as the God/Man FOR YOU! Coming again to rob your grave of your body bringing us safely to the eternal family reunion of the Life of the world to come.
Do you believe this? May we all by God’s grace confess with Martha: John 11:27 , "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world." See Jesus - present in His Church preaching His Holy Bible comforting you with His Holy Gifts to fill you with His forgiveness, His Life, and His Salvation - Poured out, preached, proclaimed, given and shed - FOR YOU! Jesus The Truth promises: Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Blessed Holy Monday! Amen.
Devotion Text: John 12:20-26 Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. (21) Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." (22) Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus. (23) But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. (24) Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. (25) He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (26) If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
Devotion Theme: “We Wish To See Jesus!” by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
I.N.R.I. History records, John 11:47-48 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, "What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. (48) If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation." Two miles from the Temple in Jerusalem was the small town of Bethany, the home of Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus. News travels fast. Lazarus died and was buried for four days. Jesus came to the grief stricken sisters. If only Jesus would’ve been there, Martha thought, her brother would not have died.
Jesus assured her - her brother will rise again. She had listened to Jesus’ preaching the Truth of God’s Word. She knew her brother would rise again at the resurrection on the last day. Do you remember what Jesus said to grieving Martha? John 11:25-26 "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. (26) And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
Jesus walked to Lazarus’ tomb, not for a celebration of life, but to weep. The only wages sin pays out is death. Then commanding the stinking grave opened, He spoke, “Lazarus, come forth!” The dead man lives! Death’s stench is swallowed up the newness of life. Crowds flock from Jerusalem to see Lazarus and Jesus. What could the Pharisees do? They plot to kill Lazarus - remove the proof that Jesus alone is the eternal only begotten Son of God the Father in human flesh - conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary.
The chief Pharisee knew how to eliminate this threat, history records; .John 11:49-50 And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all, (50) nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish." Kill Jesus and all His followers scatter - problem solved. This devilish tactic was used by communists in Russia, China, Cuba and wherever they infiltrate a nation. Ban the Holy Bible. Imprison or kill all Christian clergy and church leaders. Better they die than the nation perish. Satan is uses this strategy today in the Finland, Canada, Great Britain, and even in the U.S..
Another Sabbath comes. The day set apart to be restored with God’s Word preached finding rest in His arms by gathering together to pray. Sunday morning breaks Jerusalem is thrown into a frenzy..the Lord is coming to His Temple. He rides on a borrowed donkey’s colt fulfilling God’s promise through the prophet Zechariah. The pilgrim crowds carpet His path with their cloaks and palm branches. Joyfully singing the 118th Psalm. John 12:13 ....: "Hosanna! 'BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!' The King of Israel!"
The Pharisees see their power unraveling complaining, John 12:19 ...., "You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!"
Remember Jesus’ birth. Gentiles from the East came seeking the One born King of the Jews their advent stirred up Jerusalem. Now history records: Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. (21) Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus."
The outer court in the Temple was the court of the women and Gentiles. Early that Monday morning Jesus overturned the tables of the money changers and sellers driving them out. Mark 11:17 Then He taught, saying to them, "Is it not written, 'MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL NATIONS' ? But you have made it a 'DEN OF THIEVES.'"
These Greeks heard of the God of Israel. Wanting to know more they came to Jerusalem at Passover. Word reached their ears - Jesus has power over death. They seek out a disciple from near their home territory. They want to see Jesus. Not just look at Him. To see Him - speaking His Word to know Him. Gentiles were banned from the inner court reserved only for Jewish men, priests, and Levites. (22) Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.”
Crafty Caiaphas thought if Jesus died - peace wouldl be restored. He’s right. The Holy Spirit teaches: John 11:51-52 Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, (52) and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. Greeks yearn to see Jesus to hear His Word to know Salvation. Finally the hour of our world’s redemption has broken! 23) But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. (24) Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. (25) He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (26) If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”
No sinner sees salvation outside of Jesus’ flesh and blood crucified, risen, and ascended. Now our King once crowned with thorns is gathers all people to Himself by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel into His Body - the One Holy Christian and Apostolic Church.
Poor miserable sinners with consciences crushed by God’s Law. See Jesus! He alone carries your sins. His blood alone washes you clean. See Him - The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world - 100% of your sins, your shame, your guilt, your death, your hell. His stripes heal you - now - and forever. Sin no longer rules over you - SEE the Son sets you free by His Word of the Cross.
Grieving sisters weeping death’s final separation - see Jesus! He is the Resurrection and the Life. Believe in Him! Death is forever broken! The grave forever robbed! The Crucified lives! See Jesus!
Sick and dying. See Jesus! Believe in Him and you never die! Death becomes a brief nap - then you will hear His voice, ‘Arise!” Step forth from your grave clothed with His Life and rejoice forever in the life of the world to come.
Do you believe this? God the Holy Spirit opens your eyes through the Gospel to look only to Jesus - nailed to the cross FOR YOU. Laid into the grave FOR YOU. Physically risen in His Human Body FOR YOU. Ascending to the Father’s right hand your Brother enthroned as the God/Man FOR YOU! Coming again to rob your grave of your body bringing us safely to the eternal family reunion of the Life of the world to come.
Do you believe this? May we all by God’s grace confess with Martha: John 11:27 , "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world." See Jesus - present in His Church preaching His Holy Bible comforting you with His Holy Gifts to fill you with His forgiveness, His Life, and His Salvation - Poured out, preached, proclaimed, given and shed - FOR YOU! Jesus The Truth promises: Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Blessed Holy Monday! Amen.
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