John 12:20-36

Be Still: Jesus, I sit at your feet now. Let me hear your words and write them on my heart. Amen

Read: John 12:20-36

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. (v 27)

Encounter: I remember being offered my first teaching job and the staff at the school where I'd trained were waiting to hear if I’d got it. Once I knew, I was so caught up in the excitement that I forgot to return to tell them, leaving them hanging. They were deprived of the big announcement!

In today's passage, there is no way that the crowd could have missed Jesus’ announcement. Throughout the gospels, Jesus repeats that his time has not yet come. But this is now the moment.  Was he proud? Excited? No, he was troubled. Yes, the one who had healed the sick, turned water into wine, raised Lazarus from the dead to life -- was troubled. Jesus was the Word become flesh: flesh is weak, it shrinks and shies away from suffering, has an instinct to survive.

Yet although Jesus shared the frailty of our humanity, he knew the key to unlocking God’s power was to turn and glorify God. He has come this far, he knows the plan of salvation that lies through suffering; is he going to ask for a change of plan? No - he expresses his troubled heart but cries out: ‘Father glorify your name’. This is met with thunderous affirmation from God.

Apply: Have you ever felt overwhelmed by a situation where you wanted to escape or ask God to 'save you from this hour'? Jesus reveals his humanity and his need for God. It is such a gift to see Jesus contemplating asking God for escape. Even Jesus found following God's plan tough. 

Where are you in need of God today? Let Jesus’ response of ‘Father, I glorify your name’ be your mind-set in any situations you'd rather avoid. Jesus’ example reminds us that true strength lies in the beautiful surrender of our 'flesh and desires' to God’s greater purposes and glory. 

Devote: God, thank you for showing us your humanity through Jesus, in the face of great suffering. Help me to trust in your plan for my life, to surrender my fears to you, knowing you are always with me. When I face difficulties, give me the strength to say, 'Father, glorify your name'.