WEBVTT 00:00.600 --> 00:02.500 In the name of the crucified and risen 00:02.500 --> 00:03.000 Lord. 00:03.400 --> 00:03.800 Amen. 00:04.100 --> 00:04.900 You maybe be seated. 00:11.500 --> 00:14.900 Biblical interpretation is the most challenging and exciting thing 00:15.600 --> 00:19.000 A pastor does every week. Doesn't matter 00:19.000 --> 00:22.100 he's preparing a sermon or a Bible study. 00:23.200 --> 00:25.400 Sometimes we struggle with the word, 00:26.200 --> 00:29.900 a verb, a name, a situation. 00:31.200 --> 00:36.400 Other times, we find ourselves talking to the Holy Spirit and asking 00:36.400 --> 00:41.600 him why he didn't inspire the writer of the text to provide more 00:41.600 --> 00:42.500 information. 00:43.700 --> 00:44.900 More details. 00:45.700 --> 00:48.900 So that we could come up with a very clever and wonderful 00:49.000 --> 00:51.000 interpretation of the text. 00:53.300 --> 00:54.100 This morning 00:55.600 --> 01:00.500 when I was reflecting again about this text, I was thinking that is 01:00.500 --> 01:02.700 nothing wrong to ask questions 01:03.100 --> 01:05.900 when you are trying to do interpretation of the text. 01:06.000 --> 01:08.000 Of course, that's what you're supposed to do 01:08.200 --> 01:10.000 aAs interpreter of the scripture. 01:11.000 --> 01:14.300 Now remember, ask the right questions. 01:15.700 --> 01:22.200 But when you do so be prepared to hear what the text is telling you 01:22.600 --> 01:25.000 and not what you want the text to tell you. 01:29.400 --> 01:33.900 When I start working this text for this message today, I wanted to 01:33.900 --> 01:36.000 know who are those Greeks. 01:37.500 --> 01:42.400 They came to worship in the feast in Jerusalem. Where did they come 01:42.400 --> 01:42.900 from? 01:43.800 --> 01:49.300 While we know that from the book of Acts that many Greeks they join, 01:50.000 --> 01:54.900 they are converted to the Judaism and they came often to Worship in 01:54.900 --> 01:55.600 the temple. 01:57.700 --> 01:59.600 But why they single out Philip? 02:01.200 --> 02:02.400 Was a random pick. 02:04.500 --> 02:06.100 Well, Philip has a Greek name 02:06.500 --> 02:10.699 that helps and also he was out of town. 02:11.900 --> 02:13.700 Which side are north of Galilee. 02:14.500 --> 02:17.500 Maybe they felt more comfortable approaching him because he also was 02:17.500 --> 02:18.400 an outsider. 02:20.200 --> 02:27.500 And they approached Phillip and they say, sir, we want, we wish to see 02:27.500 --> 02:28.100 Jesus. 02:30.400 --> 02:32.200 Why did they want to meet Jesus? 02:34.300 --> 02:38.100 Was it just to look at him, shake his hand 02:39.200 --> 02:43.000 then go back home and tell their friends, their family. 02:43.200 --> 02:46.500 When they're in town in Jerusalem, they met their school, rabbi. 02:50.100 --> 02:50.700 I don't know. 02:52.200 --> 02:53.000 I'm not sure. 02:54.900 --> 02:59.700 You see, there is a big talk among the crowd on that time. 03:00.600 --> 03:05.000 Because people are talking about Jesus raising this dead man Lazarus 03:05.000 --> 03:07.900 from his tomb and bring him back to life. 03:09.100 --> 03:12.800 People continue to witness about this amazing sign. 03:14.000 --> 03:19.700 And John tells us in the gospel today that this was the reason why the 03:19.700 --> 03:22.000 crowd went to meet Jesus. 03:23.700 --> 03:28.900 And the Greeks came to Philip and said, sir, we want to see Jesus. 03:30.100 --> 03:33.700 Now, Philip with doesn't know how to handle this, Greek request. 03:34.600 --> 03:35.700 And then it's a good Lutheran 03:35.700 --> 03:36.800 he creates a committee 03:37.200 --> 03:40.300 so, he talks to Andrew said, how can we handle this? 03:40.500 --> 03:44.300 Do you have a little time to add this topic in Jesus 03:44.300 --> 03:45.600 agenda for today? 03:47.300 --> 03:50.700 And they don't know what to do, so they decide to talk to Jesus. 03:53.100 --> 03:55.800 And then they bring the request to Jesus. 03:57.500 --> 04:01.700 For their surprise and mine too because he didn't answer the question 04:01.700 --> 04:02.800 I'm looking for. 04:05.200 --> 04:07.600 Jesus doesn't say, okay guys 04:08.800 --> 04:11.800 put the Greek down for 2:00 this afternoon. 04:16.100 --> 04:19.399 You can almost see Philip and Andrew look to one another and say. 04:21.000 --> 04:22.600 But Jesus what about the Greeks? 04:25.500 --> 04:26.700 Can they come and see you? 04:27.400 --> 04:29.100 And by the way, you didn't answer the question. 04:30.900 --> 04:31.700 Or did he? 04:33.400 --> 04:35.000 Or did he answer the question? 04:38.800 --> 04:41.800 Sometimes I wonder why 04:42.900 --> 04:46.600 or how many people want to see Jesus these days? 04:47.300 --> 04:52.600 And if they do I wonder what kind of Jesus they want to see. 04:57.000 --> 05:01.300 I remember the grandparents that greet me after a Christmas special that 05:01.300 --> 05:02.800 we had in our church. 05:03.900 --> 05:06.000 And they came to me, and the end and said pastor, what 05:06.000 --> 05:08.200 a wonderful Christmas Pageant today. 05:08.500 --> 05:12.600 The daycare put on this beautiful Christmas pageant, says, all we love 05:13.000 --> 05:19.500 to see, Mary, Joseph, the baby, Jesus. But don't know why we came here 05:19.500 --> 05:19.900 tonight. 05:19.900 --> 05:20.900 Don't you pastor? 05:21.700 --> 05:23.100 We came to see our grandson. 05:24.100 --> 05:26.100 He was one of the shepherd, boys. 05:30.800 --> 05:33.900 We came to see Jesus but really want to see your grandson. 05:37.400 --> 05:38.400 It as Ash Wednesday 05:38.400 --> 05:42.400 I'm looking down the church closing the church and going home. 05:42.600 --> 05:44.900 And as I'm trying to walk to the parking lot 05:44.900 --> 05:49.800 this guy shows up. And he says, are you the pastor? 05:50.000 --> 05:50.800 I couldn't say no 05:50.800 --> 05:54.900 I was wearing my collar, you know. I could have, I could have said, 05:54.900 --> 05:55.700 I'm just a janitor 05:55.700 --> 05:59.300 I'm just cleaning up the church. So I had said, yes, I am. 05:59.400 --> 05:59.900 How can I 06:00.000 --> 06:05.000 help you? Then he says, can I come inside of the church 06:06.100 --> 06:08.300 for a moment and receive the ash? 06:09.500 --> 06:14.500 Sure, I said. And I made the sign of the cross upon his forehead and I 06:14.500 --> 06:15.600 said the words. 06:15.900 --> 06:19.800 Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return. 06:20.900 --> 06:24.900 And he stayed there in the pew watching, observing the church and 06:24.900 --> 06:26.900 staring to the crucifix. 06:27.500 --> 06:30.700 And after a while he stood up and walked towards the door. 06:31.600 --> 06:35.700 And then I asked him his Ash Wednesday important to you? 06:37.900 --> 06:38.600 Sure, Pastor 06:38.600 --> 06:41.200 he said I learned that from my mom. 06:42.100 --> 06:43.400 I do that every year. 06:44.900 --> 06:47.700 And when she calls me and she asked have you been a church today? 06:49.000 --> 06:50.300 He says, yes mom 06:50.400 --> 06:53.500 I did it and then I show up the next year again. 06:55.800 --> 07:00.300 I came kind of to see Jesus but just really, I was here to please my mom. 07:05.100 --> 07:10.000 This church is in a great location surrounded by beautiful homes 07:10.800 --> 07:14.300 wonderful complex of apartments and streets. 07:15.400 --> 07:16.800 And they have a wonderful 07:18.400 --> 07:20.000 music program in the church. 07:20.000 --> 07:23.400 They have a wonderful pipe organ, great organist. 07:24.200 --> 07:28.200 And every year twice a year, they put together this concert to invite 07:28.200 --> 07:29.300 everybody to come. 07:30.700 --> 07:32.600 And they put a big big program 07:33.100 --> 07:38.000 great musicians, great singers. And I happened to attend one of them 07:39.000 --> 07:40.700 and I remember leaving the church. 07:41.200 --> 07:45.300 I overheard to my left this couple well-dressed talking to the usher. 07:45.300 --> 07:45.800 And the usher 07:45.800 --> 07:49.100 asked them, what do you think folks about this evening? 07:49.800 --> 07:50.700 Did you like it? 07:52.200 --> 07:55.400 And the couple look to one another and the husband said, do you know 07:56.000 --> 08:00.200 we don't care much about this Jesus thing but we love the music. 08:01.100 --> 08:02.200 We love the music. 08:03.600 --> 08:08.500 We don't come here to see him but you like and enjoy the music. 08:16.900 --> 08:22.600 Sometimes I wonder how many people want to see Jesus these days and if 08:22.600 --> 08:25.600 they do, what is they want to see? 08:27.300 --> 08:33.200 The Greeks, they approached Philip and ask certainly want to see 08:33.200 --> 08:33.900 Jesus. 08:34.900 --> 08:39.299 But we don't know for sure why they want to see 08:39.299 --> 08:45.300 Jesus. Was it because Jesus was a famous Rabbi that everybody's talking 08:45.300 --> 08:46.500 about him in town? 08:46.600 --> 08:51.500 It was because he did wonderful signs, and miracles raising people 08:51.500 --> 08:52.400 from the dead. 08:54.900 --> 08:58.800 We don't know but sir we want to see Jesus. 09:00.500 --> 09:03.300 And Jesus, he heard their request. 09:03.500 --> 09:04.700 Oh yes, he did. 09:05.400 --> 09:06.500 And He gave an answer. 09:07.100 --> 09:11.600 Not only to the Greeks but to the Jews, to his own disciples to 09:11.600 --> 09:14.300 everybody in town, he gives the answer to you and me. 09:15.300 --> 09:22.700 Yes, he does that. The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 09:23.500 --> 09:28.300 Truly, truly I say to you unless the grain of wheat falls into the 09:28.300 --> 09:36.100 Earth and dies, it remains alone but if it dies it bears much fruit. 09:36.200 --> 09:40.300 Is now my soul troubled? 09:41.100 --> 09:42.200 What shall I say? 09:43.000 --> 09:47.400 Father, save me from this hour, but for this purpose, I have come to 09:47.400 --> 09:48.000 this hour. 09:50.500 --> 09:52.500 So you want to see Jesus? 09:53.200 --> 09:54.900 How do you want to see Jesus? 09:56.000 --> 09:57.400 They look to his cross. 09:58.600 --> 10:05.200 But when you do so when you do so be prepared to see not a cute face. 10:06.600 --> 10:12.500 But instead of face that has no form or majesty, a face that is not 10:12.500 --> 10:19.400 beauty. A face that reveals sorrow and grief. A face that men want to 10:19.400 --> 10:21.100 hide their face from it. 10:24.500 --> 10:29.400 When you look to the Cross, be prepared, not to see an amulet, 10:30.700 --> 10:33.400 ornament, that gives you protection 10:35.000 --> 10:38.000 from the evil from the danger in life. 10:38.400 --> 10:43.100 No, instead when we look to the Cross, you hear and see that message 10:43.100 --> 10:47.400 that is a folly, but is the power of God for those who are being 10:47.400 --> 10:48.100 saved. 10:51.300 --> 10:57.500 When you look to the Cross, be prepared to hear, not a joyful song. 10:58.800 --> 11:01.100 But instead a loud voice crying 11:01.500 --> 11:04.200 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 11:07.700 --> 11:10.100 Christ's crucifixion was not an accident. 11:12.000 --> 11:15.100 Didn't happen by force of circumstance. 11:16.100 --> 11:18.600 No, Christ's death on the cross 11:19.000 --> 11:27.600 was the culmination of a plan established by God since Genesis 3. The 11:27.600 --> 11:32.000 hour has come and Jesus came to this hour. 11:34.300 --> 11:40.200 Now is the time. Now is the time as Moses lifted up the bronze serpent 11:40.200 --> 11:45.800 in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up. And everyone 11:46.500 --> 11:51.400 everyone who has bitten by this ancient serpent and the venom of the 11:51.400 --> 11:54.700 sin when he sees Christ on the cross 11:55.200 --> 11:56.300 he shall live. 12:00.000 --> 12:06.700 It was September 14 of year anno Domini 320 that the original cross 12:07.000 --> 12:09.300 of Jesus was discovered in Jerusalem. 12:11.400 --> 12:15.600 The cross was found by Helena mother of Constantine, the emperor. 12:16.800 --> 12:21.100 15 years later when they are about to celebrate the dedication of this 12:21.100 --> 12:25.100 Basilica that celebrate Jesus, crucifixion and Resurrection. 12:26.100 --> 12:29.700 Constantine declared the Festival of the Holy Cross day. 12:31.000 --> 12:34.100 And since then in eastern and western Christianity 12:34.100 --> 12:35.700 we celebrate this day. 12:36.900 --> 12:39.400 Did Helena find an actual cross of Jesus 12:39.700 --> 12:43.000 Jesus was crucified on? I don't think so. 12:44.500 --> 12:50.900 Actual cross of Jesus is lost to history. And we cannot return to Calvary 12:52.000 --> 12:53.500 to find our salvation. 12:54.600 --> 12:58.700 But we don't need to. No, we don't need to because salvation has come 12:58.700 --> 12:59.400 to us. 13:02.300 --> 13:07.800 As you walk to the chapel every day, the first thing we see it is 13:07.800 --> 13:09.300 baptismal font. 13:10.500 --> 13:15.500 As we touch the water and make the sign of the cross, you are 13:15.500 --> 13:16.400 reminded 13:17.500 --> 13:18.400 who we are. 13:19.500 --> 13:20.800 Where the children of God. 13:21.900 --> 13:24.300 Salvation has come to you. 13:25.300 --> 13:26.800 Salvation has come now. 13:27.400 --> 13:31.200 But there is more, there is more because under the sign of the cross, 13:31.900 --> 13:34.100 we just heard the words of absolution. 13:34.700 --> 13:38.000 Your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father of the Son and the 13:38.000 --> 13:46.200 Holy Spirit. But there is more because we hear from this place, the 13:46.200 --> 13:47.700 message of the crucified 13:48.200 --> 13:50.400 Jesus, preached to us every day. 13:52.200 --> 13:54.300 Sure you want to see Jesus. 13:56.400 --> 13:57.100 Take and eat 13:58.200 --> 14:00.900 this is the true Body of Christ given for you. 14:03.000 --> 14:05.200 We want to see Jesus take and drink. 14:06.100 --> 14:08.200 This is the true Blood of Christ shed for you. 14:11.900 --> 14:14.900 The actual Holy Cross is lost in history. 14:16.100 --> 14:19.400 But you don't worry, you don't need to return to Calvary. 14:20.800 --> 14:22.500 Salvation has come to us. 14:24.000 --> 14:26.000 Look to Jesus and His cross. 14:27.200 --> 14:28.300 He's here for you. 14:29.700 --> 14:30.200 Amen.