Encounters with Jesus 3: Andrew - The Hour Has Come (Audio)

Once a follower of John the Baptist, Andrew became a disciple of Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Peter and bring him to Jesus.

Later Andrew brought a boy with his lunch box to Jesus, which in Jesus’ hands ended up feeding more than 5000 people. In Sunday’s reading, Andrew brings some Greeks to come and see Jesus.  Andrew loved to bring people to Jesus.

If you’ve been reading through the John’s account, you would have noted the opposition to Jesus: 

    It is flagged in John 1:11: ‘He came to that which was his own. But his own did not receive him.’
    In chapter 2, Jesus clears the temple courts and is questioned about his authority.
    In chapter 5, when Jesus heals on the Sabbath and claims to be doing his Father’s work, they want to kill him (Jn 5:16-18).

From then on, the religious leaders of Jerusalem treated him with hostility and were looking for a way to kill him (Jn 7:1). Despite their ongoing threats, we read that Jesus’ time/hour had not yet come (Jn 2:4, 7:6, 7:8, 7:30, 8:20, 8:59).

We get a clear sense that Jesus is steadily moving towards his destiny for which he had come: the time of his sacrificial death by being ‘lifted up’ on the cross. Everyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (Jn 3:14-16).

In this week’s reading, Jesus tells Andrew and Philip:

“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”  (Jn 12:23-24 NIV)

Jesus knows that his death is imminent. Paradoxically, Jesus will be glorified when he is ‘lifted up’ on the cross.

John regards the cross as Jesus’ coronation and supreme exaltation:

    His anointing is Mary’s act of worship.
    His crown is one of thorns.
    His coronation gown is a purple robe draped as mockery.
    His charge sheet: King of the Jews, is ironically his true title.
    His exaltation to kingly office is the cross.
    His last word shouted at death: “It is finished!” is declaration of victory.

At the cross, we see the glory of God’s love for us in Jesus. As you contemplate the cross, may the Holy Spirit give you a fresh appreciation of Jesus’ love for you!

Shalom!
Pr Rolly