Spurgeon Morning and Evening April 17 PM

Biblical Context

The Gospel of John stands out from the other three Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It’s often called the spiritual Gospel because it focuses more on Jesus’ divine identity and His deep theological teachings rather than just His earthly life and miracles. The author is traditionally believed to be John, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, the son of Zebedee and brother of James. He was an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry and wrote this account much later in life, likely to show that Jesus is the Son of God and that by believing in Him, people can have eternal life.

Our verse, John 12:21, sits in a very important part of Jesus’ story. It’s right after His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where crowds waved palm branches and shouted “Hosanna!” This event made it clear to many that Jesus was seen as a king. The Jewish leaders, however, were getting more and more worried about Jesus’ popularity. In this moment, some Greeks, who were also in Jerusalem for the Passover festival, come to Philip and say, “We would see Jesus.”

This request from the Greeks is significant because it marks a turning point. Up until now, Jesus’ ministry had been primarily focused on the Jewish people. But here, gentiles—people outside of Israel—are actively seeking Him out. This shows the expanding reach of Jesus’ message, moving beyond the traditional boundaries and hinting at the global scope of salvation through Him. It sets the stage for Jesus’ explanation that He must be “lifted up” (referring to His crucifixion and resurrection) to draw all people to Himself. This desire to “see Jesus” isn’t just a casual curiosity; it’s a deep longing for encounter and understanding, which Spurgeon captures so powerfully.

Key Word Study

Let’s look at the word “see” from our scripture, John 12:21: “We would see Jesus.”

The Greek word used here is idein (ἰδεῖν). When we hear “see” in English, we might just think of looking with our eyes. But idein means a lot more than just a physical glance. It carries the sense of perceiving, observing, understanding, experiencing, and even coming to know someone or something.

So, when the Greeks say they want to idein Jesus, they’re not just wanting to spot Him in a crowd. They’re craving a real encounter, a chance to understand who He is, to hear His words, and maybe even to experience His power. It’s a desire for a deeper connection and knowledge, a movement from mere curiosity to genuine inquiry. This meaning really brings life to Spurgeon’s point about what it means to truly desire Christ – it’s not about an external show, but an internal revelation and relationship.

The Worldling’s Cry Versus the Awakened Sinner’s Craving

The daily cry we hear from many isn’t for something spiritual. Spurgeon points out that “Evermore the worldling’s cry is, ‘Who will show us any good?’” This isn’t just a question; it’s a desperate search for satisfaction in all the wrong places. You might find yourself in this spot, looking for joy in what you can buy, what you can achieve, or the pleasures of this world. You might think, “If I just get that new car,” or “If I just earn more money,” then “good” will come to you. This kind of seeking often leaves you empty, doesn’t it?

But then there’s a different kind of person, a “quickened sinner.” This isn’t someone who just knows about sin, but someone who really feels their guilt, someone whose spirit has been stirred awake. For this person, “He seeks satisfaction in earthly comforts, enjoyments, and riches” no longer. Instead, they “knows of only one good.” Their whole being cries out, “O that I knew where I might find HIM!”

Imagine this: you’re truly awakened to your guilt, you understand the weight of your actions. If someone offered you “the gold of India at your feet,” what would you say? Spurgeon says, “Take it away: I want to find HIM.” This isn’t a casual preference; it’s an intense, all-consuming need. It’s the difference between looking for fleeting happiness and longing for the source of real life.

The Blessedness of Focused Desire

It’s a really good thing when your desires come into focus. “It is a blessed thing for a man, when he has brought his desires into a focus, so that they all centre in one object.” Think about your heart for a moment. If you have “fifty different desires,” your heart is “a mere of stagnant water, spread out into a marsh, breeding miasma and pestilence.” This imagery paints a picture of a life that’s scattered, confused, and unhealthy, full of things that drain you instead of building you up. You’re trying to chase too many things at once, and it leaves you feeling overwhelmed and maybe even a bit sick inside.

But when you bring “all his desires into one channel,” something amazing happens. Your heart “becomes like a river of pure water, running swiftly to fertilize the fields.” This is a picture of purpose, clarity, and life-giving strength. When you know what’s truly important, your energy isn’t wasted. You’re able to move forward with power, impacting not just your own life but the lives around you. It’s like all your scattered energy suddenly has a clear direction, making everything more effective and fruitful.

One Desire: Jesus Christ

“Happy is he who hath one desire, if that one desire be set on Christ, though it may not yet have been realized.” This is such an encouraging thought. You don’t have to have everything figured out or have perfect faith to experience happiness in this. Just having that one true desire – for Christ – is a powerful start. Even if you haven’t fully “realized” it, meaning you don’t feel like you’ve completely grasped Him yet, that desire itself is a good sign.

Spurgeon explains why: “If Jesus be a soul’s desire, it is a blessed sign of divine work within.” This isn’t something you can conjure up on your own. If you find yourself craving Christ, if He’s the one thing you really want, it’s proof that God is doing something amazing inside you. He’s stirring your spirit, pulling you closer to Himself. That desire itself is a gift, a promise of more to come.

Ordinances Versus Christ Himself

A person with this singular desire “will never be content with mere ordinances.” What are ordinances? They are religious practices, rituals, church attendance, even reading your Bible or praying—all good things in themselves, but they can become empty if they’re not leading you to Christ. You won’t settle for just going through the motions. You’ll say, “I want Christ; I must have Him-mere ordinances are of no use to me; I want Himself; do not offer me these; you offer me the empty pitcher, while I am dying of thirst; give me water, or I die.”

This is a powerful illustration. Imagine being absolutely parched, your throat dry, your body crying out for water. Someone comes to you, not with a glass of cool water, but with an empty pitcher. It’s useless, isn’t it? It might look like it should hold water, but it’s not the actual water you need to survive. This is how you’ll feel about religion without a real encounter with Christ. You won’t want the outward show; you’ll want the living Lord. “Jesus is my soul’s desire. I would see Jesus!” That’s the cry of a heart that’s truly awake.

Your Condition: One Desire After Christ?

Now, let’s get personal. “Is this thy condition, my reader, at this moment? Hast thou but one desire, and is that after Christ?” It’s a vital question to ask yourself. Is Jesus the main thing you want, the one focus of your heart? If you can honestly say yes to that, even with doubts or fears, then “thou art not far from the kingdom of heaven.” You’re on the right path, closer than you might realize.

Spurgeon pushes it further: “Hast thou but one wish in thy heart, and that one wish that thou mayst be washed from all thy sins in Jesus’ blood?” This isn’t about wishing for a better life or an easy path; it’s about the deep, cleansing work that only Christ can do. It’s about wanting forgiveness, freedom, and a fresh start that comes through His sacrifice. This singular wish for spiritual cleansing is a mark of true seeking.

Assurance for the Seeking Soul

Finally, there’s a huge promise for you if you’re in this place. “Canst thou really say, ‘I would give all I have to be a Christian; I would give up everything I have and hope for, if I might but feel that I have an interest in Christ’?” If this is how you feel, if you’re ready to lay everything down for a real connection with Jesus, then listen closely. “Then, despite all thy fears, be of good cheer, the Lord loveth thee, and thou shalt come out into daylight soon, and rejoice in the liberty wherewith Christ makes men free.”

Don’t let your fears hold you back. The very fact that you want Him so much, that you’re willing to give up everything for Him, is proof of His love for you. You won’t stay in the dark forever. You’re going to step into the light, where you’ll experience the freedom that only Christ can give. It’s a freedom from guilt, from endless striving, and from the empty promises of the world. Hold onto this truth; your longing for Jesus is a sign of His pursuit of you.