Breaking Barriers: The Inclusive Invitation of Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Welcomes All—Breaking Down Barriers

Jesus’ encounter with the Greeks at the Passover festival reveals His radical openness to all people, regardless of background, ethnicity, or religious status. Even as outsiders, these Greeks approached with caution and curiosity, yet Jesus’ response—though indirect—signals a seismic shift: “whoever serves me must follow me.” In a world marked by dividing walls, both literal and spiritual, Jesus proclaims that His mission is to draw all people to Himself, making room for those who have long been kept at a distance. The invitation is not just for the insiders, but for anyone who genuinely seeks to see Jesus, no matter how far away they may feel. [36:31]

John 12:20-26 (ESV)
Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 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. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 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.”

Reflection: Who in your life might feel like an outsider or unwelcome in faith spaces—how can you intentionally make room for them to see Jesus through your words and actions today?

Day 2: Jesus Destroys the Dividing Wall

The physical structure of the temple, with its concentric courts and the Soreg wall warning Gentiles to keep out on pain of death, powerfully illustrates the barriers that once separated people from God and from one another. Yet Jesus, in His death and resurrection, obliterates these boundaries—both the visible and the invisible—so that all may draw near. He crosses the line that demands death, so no one else has to, and in doing so, He makes a way for every person, regardless of their past or pedigree, to be welcomed into God’s presence. [44:49]

Ephesians 2:13-14 (ESV)
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.

Reflection: What “walls” or boundaries—spoken or unspoken—exist in your heart or community that keep others at a distance, and how might you partner with Jesus in tearing them down?

Day 3: The Church Is for All—No Outsiders

Paul’s words in Colossians and Galatians echo the heart of Jesus: in Christ, there are no longer categories that divide—no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian or Scythian, slave or free, male or female. The church is not a club for the civilized or the religious elite, but a gathering of all who have been redeemed by Christ. This means that every background, every story, every “from away” is not just tolerated but celebrated as part of the new humanity Jesus is creating. [53:31]

Colossians 3:11 (ESV)
Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Reflection: Is there a group or type of person you subconsciously see as “other” or less welcome in your church or life—how can you begin to see Christ in them and embrace them as family?

Day 4: Be Approachable and Connected—Like Philip and Andrew

Philip and Andrew, with their approachable natures and willingness to connect seekers to Jesus, model a simple but profound way to participate in God’s mission. You don’t have to have all the answers or be a spiritual superstar; sometimes, being approachable and willing to introduce someone to Jesus—or even just to someone else who can help—is enough. The bar is low, and the invitation is open: be the kind of person who is easy to approach, and be connected enough in Christian community to help others take their next step toward Christ. [56:29]

Romans 10:14 (ESV)
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

Reflection: Who in your circle might be seeking or curious about Jesus—how can you be more approachable and ready to connect them to Him or to others who can help?

Day 5: Don’t Get Too Civilized—Embrace the Messy Call of Jesus

There is a danger in smoothing out the wild, messy call of Jesus with performative religion or a desire to appear “civilized.” The gospel is not about cleaning yourself up to fit in, but about being real, flawed, and forgiven—so that others can recognize themselves in you and see what Jesus can do with a life like theirs. The best evangelists to “barbarians” are redeemed barbarians; don’t hide your story or your scars. Instead, let your life be an invitation for others to come as they are and encounter the transforming grace of Christ. [58:46]

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (ESV)
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

Reflection: In what ways have you tried to “clean yourself up” or hide your imperfections—how might sharing your real, imperfect story help someone else see Jesus more clearly?

Sermon Summary

In the midst of Holy Week, as the city of Jerusalem swelled with pilgrims and the air was thick with anticipation, a group of Greeks—outsiders, Gentiles—approached Philip with a simple, profound request: “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” This moment, tucked into the Gospel of John, is more than a curious footnote; it is a turning point that reveals the heart of Christ’s mission and the radical inclusivity of God’s kingdom. The Greeks, likely God-fearers who had come as close as they could to the center of Jewish worship, were still kept at arm’s length by literal and figurative walls—barriers that marked them as outsiders, unworthy to draw near.

The temple itself was a living illustration of exclusion, with its concentric courts and the Soreg wall, inscribed with warnings of death for any foreigner who dared cross. Yet, in this setting, Jesus responds not with direct answers, but with a proclamation: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” He speaks of seeds dying to bear fruit, of losing life to gain it, and then utters the word “whoever”—a word that would have rung like a bell in the ears of those Greeks. Whoever serves me must follow me. Whoever. All people.

Jesus’ mission, then and now, is to destroy the barriers that keep people from God. He does not merely risk a “barbarian church”—a community of outsiders, misfits, and the uncivilized—he invites it. He crosses the line that demands death so that no one else has to. In the cleansing of the temple, Jesus reclaims the outer court—the only place Gentiles could come—as a house of prayer for all nations, pushing back against the religious clutter and exclusion that had crept in.

This is the invitation: to be a church that is approachable, that makes space for the outsider, that refuses to become so civilized and polished that the wild, messy grace of Jesus is lost. Whether you are a seasoned follower of Christ or someone who feels like an outsider peering in, the call is the same: come and see Jesus. The dividing walls have been torn down. Christ is all, and in all.

Key Takeaways

1. The Gospel’s Invitation Is Radically Inclusive Jesus’ response to the Greeks’ request is not a direct answer, but a proclamation that the time has come for all people to be drawn to him. The “whoever” in his words signals the breaking down of every barrier—ethnic, religious, social—that once kept people at a distance. The kingdom of God is not for the select few, but for all who seek him, no matter how far away they feel. [36:31]
2. Barriers—Both Literal and Spiritual—Are Meant to Be Broken The Soreg wall in the temple was a physical manifestation of exclusion, but Jesus’ mission was to destroy such barriers. He not only reclaims the Gentile courtyard as a house of prayer for all nations, but through his death and resurrection, he tears down the ultimate walls of sin, shame, and separation from God. The church is called to continue this work, making space for those who have been kept out. [44:49]
3. Approachability and Community Are Essential for Evangelism Philip and Andrew’s roles show that being approachable and connected in community are vital for helping others see Jesus. You don’t have to have all the answers; sometimes, simply being willing to walk with someone, or to introduce them to another, is enough. Evangelism is often a team effort, and the bar for participation is intentionally low—just be willing and available. [55:49]
4. Beware of Becoming Too “Civilized” for the Gospel There is a danger in smoothing out the wild, messy call of Jesus with performative religion or a desire to appear respectable. The church is not meant to be a museum of the polished, but a community of the redeemed—barbarians and Greeks alike—who are honest about their flaws and open about their need for grace. Those who have been redeemed from the margins are often best equipped to reach others on the margins. [58:46]
5. The Invitation to See Jesus Is for Everyone, Especially the Outsider If you find yourself cautious, curious, or feeling like an outsider, know that Jesus’ invitation is for you. He has destroyed every dividing wall, and any sign that says otherwise was not put up by him. The simple prayer, “I wish to see Jesus,” is enough to draw you near, for Christ is all and in all. [61:32]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[24:26] - What Does It Mean to Be Christian?
[26:21] - The Context of Holy Week
[27:41] - Greeks Seek Jesus
[29:18] - Who Were the Greeks?
[31:03] - Philip and Andrew: The Connectors
[33:14] - Jesus’ Mysterious Response
[34:32] - The “Whoever” Invitation
[36:31] - Outsiders and the Temple
[38:14] - The Temple’s Barriers
[41:12] - The Soreg Wall and Exclusion
[42:54] - The Deadly Seriousness of Exclusion
[44:49] - Jesus Destroys Barriers
[46:35] - Cleansing the Temple: Reclaiming Space
[48:34] - Paul on the End of Dividing Walls
[50:42] - The Barbarian Church
[55:49] - Application for Followers of Jesus
[59:58] - Invitation to the Outsider
[61:32] - The Prayer to See Jesus

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 12:20-26 (ESV) — 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.”

Ephesians 2:13-14 (ESV) — 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.

Observation Questions

In John 12, what is significant about the Greeks’ request, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus”? What does their status as outsiders tell us about the setting? [27:41]
How does Jesus respond to the request to see him? Does he answer directly, and what does he say instead? [34:32]
What was the purpose of the Soreg wall in the temple, and what message did it send to Gentiles and outsiders? [41:12]
According to Ephesians 2, what has Jesus accomplished for those who were “far off”? [48:34]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus uses the word “whoever” in his response, and how might that have sounded to the Greeks who were used to being excluded? [36:31]
What does the physical structure of the temple (with its courts and walls) reveal about the religious culture of the time, and how does Jesus challenge or fulfill that system? [39:49]
The sermon describes Jesus as “destroying barriers” both literal and spiritual. What are some examples of these barriers, and why is it important for the church to continue this work? [44:49]
The pastor warns about becoming “too civilized” for the gospel. What does he mean by this, and how can a desire for respectability get in the way of the church’s mission? [58:46]

Application Questions

The Greeks approached Philip because he seemed approachable and connected. Who in your life might be looking for someone approachable to help them see Jesus? How can you be more like Philip or Andrew this week? [55:49]
Are there any “walls” (attitudes, traditions, or unspoken rules) in your church or personal life that might keep outsiders at a distance? What is one step you could take to break down those barriers? [44:49]
Jesus reclaimed the outer court as a “house of prayer for all nations.” What would it look like for your small group or church to make space for people who feel like outsiders? [46:35]
The sermon challenges us not to “clean ourselves up too much” or hide our flaws. Is there an area where you’ve been tempted to appear more “polished” than real? How might honesty about your need for grace help others see Jesus in you? [58:46]
If you sometimes feel like an outsider in faith or church, what would it mean for you to take Jesus at his word that the invitation is for “whoever”—including you? [01:01:32]
The pastor said, “The bar is so low” for being used by Jesus—just be willing and available. What is one simple, practical way you can make yourself available to God’s work this week? [55:49]
Think of someone you know who might be curious or cautious about faith. What is one way you could invite them to “come and see Jesus” in the next month? [59:58]

Sermon Clips

``He is making room and destroying barriers so that all may see him, know him, and receive his offer of renewal and redemption. And he will cross the line that demands death so that no one else has to. [00:45:15] (18 seconds) #RoomForRedemption

Jesus reclaims the Gentile courtyard for its holy purpose. Where others had made the circle smaller and smaller until it was the Holy of Holies, he's making them bigger and bigger. Not in the sense that anything goes, but that everyone's welcome to the transformation of his holiness. [00:48:02] (24 seconds) #ExpandingHolySpaces

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups, the religious insider and the religious outsider, broadly speaking, he has made them one and has destroyed the barrier. He knew what he was referring to, the literal one and the more important one. [00:49:19] (23 seconds) #UnityInPeace

But Christ is all and in all is the invitation. So Jesus didn't just risk a potential barbarian church like, Oh my gosh, if we start lighting people like George and Jason in, where is this going to go? Well, here you are. No, he invites it would be my take. Because he invites you. [00:53:55] (24 seconds) #ChristIsAllInAll

And the thing to step up for you might be, be like Philip, who was at the bare minimum approachable. Are you willing to be approachable for those seeking Jesus? Even if you're a bit unsure. In fact, the bar, that's what's so beautiful about who Jesus picks for disciples. The bar is so low. It's just very, very low. [00:55:49] (32 seconds) #TagTeamEvangelism

And here's my caution for this group. And this hits close to home because of how I came to faith. In it all, don't let yourselves get too civilized. Smoothing out that wild, messy call of Jesus with kind of performative religion or clutter that does not help. [00:58:10] (24 seconds) #InviteAndPray

But, also don't clean yourself up too much. Because not only might others not recognize Christ in you, because you've kind of covered that. Here's the bigger danger, in my opinion. If you clean yourself up too much, they won't recognize themselves in you. And have a healthy, imperfect, flawed, forgiven picture of what someone actually like them could look like with Jesus. [00:59:03] (38 seconds) #WelcomedSeekers

And I believe something in you genuinely. Even if you don't believe, your prayer might be, help my unbelief. You genuinely want to see Jesus. And so if you're approaching posture this morning, however, again, cautious, curious, that was my posture, I was not looking for it, that is for sure. And I did not believe it for a while. But you're doubtful and even hopeful. But if your question is, I wish to see Jesus, just know he invites you. [01:00:58] (35 seconds)

And he's destroyed all the dividing walls. Any signs you've read that say otherwise, he did not put up. I wish to see Jesus. Let that be your prayer. [01:01:32] (15 seconds)

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