Sir, we want to see Jesus.

SUNDAY SERVICE 29 SEPT 2013
SPEAKER: AAMIR SHAHZAD
TEXT: JOHN 12:20-25

It is Palm Sunday, after Jesus has entered Jerusalem to a welcoming crowd waving palm branches. John’s Gospel reports:

Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 

Aamir Shahzad who hails from Pakistan introduced himself and his ministry to provide a context for the morning’s message. In a Muslim country with a population of some 180 million of which only 2% is Christian, the challenge of pointing people to Jesus is real.

The minority Christian population occupies the bottom rung of society, largely involved in menial jobs. A dominant Islamic culture, blasphemy laws that are known to victimize the innocent (Aamir shared his own family experiences), and frequent outbreaks of violence have led the Church to adopt a ‘ghetto mentality’ (a feeling of alienation and powerlessness; withdrawal from the mainstream) leading to less and less interaction with the Muslim majority.

In addition, the recent bombing of All Saints’ Church in Peshawar that killed dozens has widened division and deepened fears.

What is the one thing that can be done to show Jesus then?

“The only way is to live like Jesus,” Aamir said.

Christians set themselves apart when they display a transformed worldview, live as Jesus did, show compassion, act justly and are loving towards their neighbor.

Referring to the Peshawar bombing, some Christians resorted to violence which was not right as it did not reflect Jesus. In light of this, Aamir encouraged the church to teach and train people how to live out a transformed worldview.

Aamir spoke of a Christian security guard who once offered to help an old man with physiotherapy massage. Eventually even Muslims came to him for his expertise and he would wash their feet, asking permission to pray before he began.

Going back to the text, Aamir commented on Jesus’ reply to the Greeks.

Jesus replied, “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 and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. 

Jesus’ words appear cryptic, but it is because he does not want to encourage curiosity seekers. What is more important is his example of loving sacrifice.

Aamir highlighted 2 ministries in Pakistan that sought to show compassion: a drug rehabilitation programme where 80% of its clients are Muslim, and a literacy programme that provides schooling to mainly Hindu children.

In these ways Christians show Jesus to the world. They demonstrate that they have died to self; they do not follow the culture of the world but are living sacrificially.

May the Lord encourage us to do likewise.

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Aamir Shahzad is a qualified drugs worker and experienced project manager based in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. He manages the Samaritan Strategy for AsiaCMS which works with local churches to be mission focused and help launch local community initiatives.