God’s Mission
John 12:23-29
“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. “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
~ Jesus
It was always Jesus’ mindset to do the will of the Father (John 6:38).
That mindset is on display in our reading. Jesus chooses an approach embracing sacrifice rather than praying for deliverance. The initial prayer Jesus mentions, "Father, save me from this hour", is dismissed with a quick "No" and a candid testimony of "it was for this very reason I came to this hour." Jesus prays instead, "Father, glorify Your name!”
Then in that moment, in that holy place, God Himself speaks from heaven, saying “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” Jesus would be delivered – first into the hands of sinners.
Due to their wicked acts, He would die, but only because God was using that death to become a payment for sins of the world. Then, in godly and miraculous form, Jesus would be delivered out of the grave. Glory in the laying down of His life. God be glorified!
Prayer
Father God, this event preceding Jesus’ planned sacrifice reminds me to pause rather than instantly asking for deliverance in tough spots. Maybe there is a better option like Your will that could be done. Father, as Jesus prayed: Glorify Your name in my life. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.
Micro-Meditation Scripture
Psalm 139:7-12
- Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence? - If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. - If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea, - even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast. - If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,” - even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
Micro-Meditation
Teaching or Command of God
Ephesians 4:30
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Micro-Meditation Pondering Point
These verses remind us that when we feel alone or even abandoned by God, He’s still with us – always. Let God’s stated truth override your inconsistent feelings.