#393 Father Glorify Thy Name
Jesus eyes scanned the beloved group of men that represented his followers throughout time. He understood with startling clarity the cup of experience that he would drink, and the cup of experience that would be required of all who took his name. John 12:23-26 He would soon share details of his understanding of the persecution and challenge they would face in the near future and to the end of the age as a result of his death and the fact that to follow in his footsteps would lead them to their own Calvary. The krisis of the world was at hand, and the future of salvation of the world hung in the balances, resting on his faithfulness. John 12:31-32 The thought of the challenges and testings ahead were a dizzying reality. By the vision of faith he saw the results of his faithfulness even to the cruel death of being ‘lifted up’ in crucifixion: the defeat of the power of Satan, and the eventual drawing of all people to himself.
His pulse quickened, and he felt agitated.
“Now my soul has been troubled, and what shall; I say? Father, save me from this hour?” He answered his own question with the simple truth that he came to this point in time in order to surrender to His Father’s will even unto the death of the cross and for the very purpose of passing his cup to his followers. “But for this cause I came to this hour.” And then he prayed that the character of His Father would be manifested by his death and resurrection. “Father, glorify thy name.” John 12:27-28a
A reverberating sound suddenly trembled in the air. The crowd heard it and exclaimed, It was thunder.” Others understood the words were from heaven. “An angel had spoken to him,” they murmured amongst themselves in wonder. Jesus heard the unmistakable voice of his Father, in unmistakable words of encouragement and assurance of his past and future faithfulness in reflecting his Father’s name. “I have glorified it and I will glorify it again.” John 12:29, 28b
Jesus responded to those who recognized the voice from heaven. “This voice has come not because of me, but because of you.” He knew their need for assurance. Strengthened in the surety of his own mission he stated the eternal truth that his faithfulness unto death would accomplish. “Now is the judgment (2920 krisis) of this world; now the prince of this world shall be cast out: and, if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all to myself.”
Red Sea Rule #2 Revisited: Be more concerned for God’s glory than for your relief.
At the onset of the most excruciating week of Jesus’ life, He didn’t ask “How can I get out of this? He asked “How can God be glorified?”
“Now my soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. “Father, glorify Thy name.” John 12:27-28
How powerful is His triumph over us when our prayer goes beyond the honest desire that the experience goes away, to our heart’s desire that He be glorified fully in the experience, trusting His deliverance in His time and way.
What is more important, that the experience go away, or that He is glorified through it?
Father, glorify Thy name.
Jesus eyes scanned the beloved group of men that represented his followers throughout time. He understood with startling clarity the cup of experience that he would drink, and the cup of experience that would be required of all who took his name. John 12:23-26 He would soon share details of his understanding of the persecution and challenge they would face in the near future and to the end of the age as a result of his death and the fact that to follow in his footsteps would lead them to their own Calvary. The krisis of the world was at hand, and the future of salvation of the world hung in the balances, resting on his faithfulness. John 12:31-32 The thought of the challenges and testings ahead were a dizzying reality. By the vision of faith he saw the results of his faithfulness even to the cruel death of being ‘lifted up’ in crucifixion: the defeat of the power of Satan, and the eventual drawing of all people to himself.
His pulse quickened, and he felt agitated.
“Now my soul has been troubled, and what shall; I say? Father, save me from this hour?” He answered his own question with the simple truth that he came to this point in time in order to surrender to His Father’s will even unto the death of the cross and for the very purpose of passing his cup to his followers. “But for this cause I came to this hour.” And then he prayed that the character of His Father would be manifested by his death and resurrection. “Father, glorify thy name.” John 12:27-28a
A reverberating sound suddenly trembled in the air. The crowd heard it and exclaimed, It was thunder.” Others understood the words were from heaven. “An angel had spoken to him,” they murmured amongst themselves in wonder. Jesus heard the unmistakable voice of his Father, in unmistakable words of encouragement and assurance of his past and future faithfulness in reflecting his Father’s name. “I have glorified it and I will glorify it again.” John 12:29, 28b
Jesus responded to those who recognized the voice from heaven. “This voice has come not because of me, but because of you.” He knew their need for assurance. Strengthened in the surety of his own mission he stated the eternal truth that his faithfulness unto death would accomplish. “Now is the judgment (2920 krisis) of this world; now the prince of this world shall be cast out: and, if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all to myself.”
Red Sea Rule #2 Revisited: Be more concerned for God’s glory than for your relief.
At the onset of the most excruciating week of Jesus’ life, He didn’t ask “How can I get out of this? He asked “How can God be glorified?”
“Now my soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. “Father, glorify Thy name.” John 12:27-28
How powerful is His triumph over us when our prayer goes beyond the honest desire that the experience goes away, to our heart’s desire that He be glorified fully in the experience, trusting His deliverance in His time and way.
What is more important, that the experience go away, or that He is glorified through it?
Father, glorify Thy name.
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