May 12
6
Sir, We Would See Jesus
Our brother Patrick recently stepped behind our pulpit, directed our attention to John 12:21, and announced he would preach to us on “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
He certainly and immediately had my attention – for “Sir, I wish to see Jesus!”
Jesus is the only subject I desire to hear from a man behind a pulpit. Jesus is the only person I desire to be set forth by such a man. “Sir, I wish to see Jesus!”
Let the preacher expound whatever Biblical text he chooses, but please show to me Jesus in it. Let the preacher explain whatever Scriptural doctrine he chooses, but please show to me Jesus as its center. Let the preacher employ whatever illustration he chooses, but please let it direct me to Jesus. Let the preacher quote whatever mortal he will, but only to the honor of Jesus. “Sir, I wish to see Jesus!”
I have no desire to see any other person or thing exalted. Let others preach themselves, exalt their “freewill”, boast of their works. But I will refuse to hear them. If they ask for my reason, I will reply, “Sir, I wish to see Jesus!”
I want every preacher who steps behind our pulpit to look upon our congregation and read in our eyes “Sir, we wish to see Jesus!”
To aid in this desire I have attached a small placard to our pulpit, visible to every preaching stepping behind it, reading “Sir, we wish to see Jesus!”
I am happy to report that when our brother Patrick concluded his recent message, my Beloved and I responded, “Sir, we saw Jesus!”
I hope and pray this will be your response every time I preach: “Sir, we wished to see Jesus, and you showed Him to us!” — Daniel E. Parks