Pastor Carl (John 12:20-26) December 11, 2022
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.



The great Messiah left us here, in this very day, to BE THE LIGHT! He calls us to “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) It is not what we say, it is what we do that shines brightly and opens the eyes of all who “walk in darkness”. Our neighbors do not see Jesus, nor understand the gospel. But, they understand that giving gifts to their kids, family, and friends is what love is. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” Our neighbors saw love when they came to our fall festival and received our free gifts of friendship, kindness to their children, and food. We were the light when darkness was celebrated. The neighbors who do not know Jesus, but brought shoe boxes to our church for needy kids across the world, saw we love others. We were the light! In December we will continue to be the light of the world. When we take our focus off of our own pleasures and turn our eyes to our neighbors who live in Port Saint Lucie, we shine brightly. “… if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” (Matthew 5)
