God’s Mission in John 12:20-33
John 12:20-33
Jesus Predicts His Death
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!”
~Jesus, John 12:27-28
20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 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. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
27 “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. 28 Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
Pondering Point
We see Jesus here willing to be obedient in His darkest moments. The Apostle Paul describes this attitude of Jesus in Philippians 2:8 as obedient to God the Father to the point of death – even on the cross.
Philippians 2:8
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Even with a troubled soul, His obedience stands strong. We too can live with such obedience, but it must come by faith (Romans 1:5) rather than through our own strength. Even Jesus relied on strength given from the Father. Why should we operate any differently?
Romans 1:5
Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake.
Prayer for the Day
Father God, teach me to lean into You for strength so that I may honor You – glorify You – through obedience in my life, even during soul-troubling times. I know this is possible through Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.
My Gratitude Journal
From CornFest to HopeFest
(returning to joy from sadness)
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When Orlando Lutheran Academy was still operating, one of their fundraiser fellowships was Cornfest. The Duda family would kindly provide corn, music would be played, and rides and booths were brought in to create a festive environment.
After the school closed, Hope wanted to give former staff and students another opportunity to get together – to reminisce you might say. So, invites extended, our church put on one more Cornfest. It was not to raise money; it centered around celebrating God, relationships and ministry. It was a mix of emotions to be sure – grief and sadness, but surprise and storytelling also.
As we honored their ministry, a new one started. Cornfest morphed into Hopefest, which ran for nearly a decade. Cotton Candy, face painting, dunk tanks; corn and pie-eating contests, music and more music, We hosted performers from other churches, schools and community groups. Covid shut that down, but the memories brings smiles for miles.