Some Greeks were among those who had come up to worship at the festival.  They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and make a request: “Sir, we want to see Jesus.”  Philip told Andrew and Andrew and Philip told Jesus.  Jesus replied, “The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.  I assure you that unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it can only be a single seed.  But if it dies, it bears much fruit.  Those who love their lives will lose them, and those who hate their lives in this world will keep them forever.  Whoever serves me must follow me.  Wherever I am, there my servant will also be.  My Father will honor whoever serves me.  Now I am deeply troubled.  What should I say?  ‘Father, save me from this time?’  No, for this is the reason I have come to this time.  Father, glorify your name!”  Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

Why am I here?  I ask myself that from time to time, not because I’m uncertain about God’s purpose and God’s plan, but by constantly reflecting on that question, I am reminded why I’m here and I am challenged to live my day with purpose.

In the beginning, God created a couple in God’s own image.  Nothing else in creation reflected the glory of God quite like Adam and Eve.  But Adam and Eve failed and subsequent children were born in the image of their father, Adam.  So, God called a man named Abram to leave family, friends, and farm to be set apart as he lived among the world’s people.  But Abram failed too and so did his offspring.  So, God rescued a people and set them apart to reflect His glory to their neighbors, but Israel failed.  And then, when the time was just right, God sent His one and only Son to live among the people.  He was to reflect God’s glory to a people who had forgotten what the glory of God was all about.  Before Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world, He prayed to His Father: “I have finished the work that you sent me to do.”

Part of that glory or image that we see in Jesus was His love for everyone.  Along the way, throughout His ministry, there were hints of it.  Remember: He told the story of the Good Samaritan where the outsider, the half-breed, the Samaritan is given hero status.  Remember: He healed the Centurion’s daughter.  Remember: He healed the Syro-Phoenician woman’s daughter.  O we had seen hints.  But when some Greeks came looking for Jesus, wanting to visit with Him, Jesus saw the hand of God and He prayed: “Father, glorify your name.”  Father, be glorified in me!  Let them see you in me!  And God’s response?  “I have and I will.”

Within days, the sinless Son of God could been seen on a cross on a hillside outside of the city of Jerusalem.  And what was the response?  A soldier saw something!  While many looked upon Him with disdain and hatred, the soldier saw something different.  He saw the image of God; and he said: “Surely, this man was the son of God.”

Do people say that about me?  About you?  Surely, Tucker A. Lewis is a child of God.  I see something about him that is vaguely familiar.  I fear not!  I haven’t loved enough.  I haven’t loved and accepted those that others reject.  And I’m not alone!  Sociologists and Church consultants say that there is no discernible difference “Christians” and “Non-Christians” in our culture.  We have failed to reflect God’s glory!

The JJ Weeks Band sings a song that I have turned into a regular prayer: “Let them see you in me.  Let them hear you when I speak.  Let them feel you when I sing.  Let them see you; let them see you in me.”  After all, that’s why I’m here!  That’s my purpose, my calling … to be the image of Christ to the family God gave me, to the church I serve, to the neighborhood and community where I live.  O God, let them see you in me!

Father, at times, I can almost see you in the mirror.  O, it’s a blurry image for sure.  It is marred by weakness, sinfulness, brokenness, failure, but you’re in there … somewhere!  So, please, let them see you in me.  Let them hear you when I speak.  Let them feel you when I touch, and hold.  Not for my good, but for the sake of your purpose … the salvation of me and the world.  As you’ve done before, do it again!  Do it again!  Amen!