"Sir, we would see Jesus."

a quiet request spoke loud philip carried it to andrew

together they drew near

The answer

did not flatter It named the waiting hour

The hour had come for glory,

But glory wore the ground:

A single grain stays single

Until it falls down.

Buried in the furrow,

Hidden from the sky,

It loses what it was alone

And multiplies through dying.

Except a corn of wheat fall,

It abides alone.

But if it falls and dies,

A field can rise where one was sown.

Except a corn of wheat fall,

The harvest waits in earth;

Life will pass through losing

And return in greater birth.

The one who clings to life

Will watch that life depart;

The one who holds this world more lightly

Keeps life beyond its dark.

Who serves must follow after;

Where Jesus goes, there be.

The Father honors service

That follows faithfully.

His soul was deeply troubled,

Yet he did not flee the hour:

"Father, glorify thy name,"

Not rescue me from purpose.

Then heaven gave an answer,

A voice above the crowd:

Some heard thunder, some an angel,

But the witness sounded out.

Lifted up from the earth,

He would draw all unto him.

The judgment of the world arrived;

Its prince would be cast out.

Lifted up from the earth,

The manner of his death was shown.

The falling grain would not stay one;

The cross would gather many home.

"We heard the Christ abides;

How can the Son be lifted?"

The question measured prophecy

But missed the hour within it.

"Walk while the light is with you,

Before the dark takes hold.

Believe the light and be its children."

Then Jesus hid from view.

So many signs before them,

Yet unbelief remained.

Isaiah's grief returned

In hardened eyes and hearts again.

Some rulers trusted secretly,

But loved men's praise above

The honor that comes only from

The everlasting God.

To trust the Son is not to stop

At what the eyes can see;

The one who looks on Jesus

Looks toward the One who sent him.

He came as light, not present judge,

To save the world from night;

But words refused will stand and speak

At judgment's final time.

Except a corn of wheat fall,

It abides alone.

But if it falls and dies,

A field can rise where one was sown.

The Father's command is life,

Everlasting, sure, and true;

The hour had come, the grain would fall,

And many would be drawn.

"Sir, we would see Jesus."

The answer pointed toward the cross.