Quote for the Day
“Father, glorify your name!”
Today's Prayer
Father, this week we ask your Holy Spirit to work in our lives so that YOU will be glorified.
John 12:20-36
John 12:20-36 (NIV)20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 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 I tell you the truth, 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 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his 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 heart 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 But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.34 The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
Message
Last week we looked at the disciples’ comment that they did not understand all that was happening. They were still growing and learning. After three years of being with Jesus daily they still had much to learn. Jesus of course understood their need and thirst for knowledge. He also realized that it was through Him that they would receive understanding. Over the next several chapters we will see Jesus bringing to the disciples (and to us!) some of the deepest understandings of our relationship with Him, the Father, and the Spirit. We will see how tightly woven the Godhead really is. We will see how they are not only integrated with each other, but also desire to have us just as integrated with them. And best of all how they supply the needed elements to create that unity.In this week’s passage Jesus begins by showing the fundamental issue for both Him and us: All of life is meant to glorify the Father. The whole purpose of the life of Jesus and every action He took was to glorify the Father. Here He was, just hours before his crucifixion, and His sole desire was to glorify the Father, not Himself. What an amazing dialogue. We see Jesus asking the Father to glorify the Father’s name. And what does the Father do? He speaks it so all can hear. WOW! While I know we all want that audible voice, Jesus made it clear that HE and His spirit are present with us just as He is present with the Father.What we tend to forget and the reason we long for that audible voice is that it is all about the Father NOT us. We live in an “it’s all about me” society. Unfortunately both inside and outside the church. Our only purpose is to glorify the Father, all else is simply wasted. And the great news is that just like with Jesus, the Father is our power to glorify Him.It is easy as we read John to see how the Father, Son, and Spirit are tightly woven. It is also clear that we have that same relationship with them.