John 12:27-36

Even though we saw yesterday that Jesus was reminded of His mission by the Greeks’ request and understood very clearly that He needed to die so that they could be included among the people of God, we find today that this was not easy for Jesus. He continues to talk to His disciples, saying, “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? But I came to this hour for this purpose!”

 

Jesus knew what He needed to do, but it wouldn’t be easy for Him. He was not looking forward to death. On the other hand, He knew that He had come for this very reason. What kept Him moving forward? Jesus says next, “Father, glorify your name.” That was Jesus’ passion. He was willing to die for others, and to call His disciples to lay down their lives for others, because this would bring glory to God!

 

“Father, glorify your name,” was Jesus’ prayer. Therefore, God spoke. “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” At this time when Jesus’ was struggling and troubled, God told Jesus that His goal would be realized; Jesus’ death would result in God’s glory. Knowing that His death would achieve God’s glory is what kept Him moving forward.

 

The crowd heard the response and tried to explain it. “It thundered!” “An angel spoke to Him.” But Jesus answered and explained the voice: “This voice did not come for me, but for you.” Jesus already knew that His death would glorify God; the crowd needed to be convinced of it, too. How would Jesus death glorify God?

 

“Now the judgment of this world is here; now the ruler of this world will be cast out! And if I am lifted up, I will draw all men to myself.” God would be glorified as Satan was defeated. God would be glorified as His Son’s death drew men into a relationship with the Living God!

 

Jesus said “lifted up” to indicate the kind of death He would die. The crowd seemed to understand, but whether they did or not, they understood that Jesus was saying He would not be with them much longer; He would be lifted up, and whether this meant lifted into heaven or lifted on a cross, He would no longer be among them. This troubled them. “We heard from the law that the Christ will stay forever. How can you say that it is necessary for the Son of Man to be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” They so wanted to believe that Jesus was their Messiah! But they thought their Messiah would stay with them. Jesus’ claim that He would be gone did not fit their understanding of the Old Testament. So they wanted to know whether they had chosen the right Messiah or not! Who is this Son of Man? Are you the Messiah, or are we supposed to wait for someone else?

 

Jesus continued to claim both that He was the Messiah and that He would be leaving soon. “The light is still among you for a little while. Walk as you have the light so that darkness will not descend on you. The one who walks in darkness does not know where he goes. As/since you have the light, believe in the light so that you may be sons of light.” Basically, Jesus told them that they had understood correctly. They had the light; their belief that He was the Messiah was right. At the same time, He would not be among them for long. They needed to walk within the light they had already; they needed to continue to place their trust in Him so that they would not be overtaken by darkness. If they placed their trust in Him, they would be sons of light! They would know the truth, and they could walk according to it!

 

Several points are important:

1. Jesus was troubled by His mission, but He knew that it would glorify the Father. This always kept Him going forward. We should move toward the Father’s glory, too.
2. God’s glory is certain. God had glorified His name and would do so again. This certainty should make us all the more careful to be among those who are striving to bring God glory, because it is reassuring to know that our efforts will pay off.
3. God would be glorified in two ways: 1. By the judgment of sin, and 2. By the drawing of all men through Jesus to God. I think the point here is obvious: which way would I rather glorify God? By being judged? Or by being reconciled to Him?
4. Jesus is the Christ. The crowd that saw Him as the Christ was right, even though His soon-to-come death and departure confused them. The Old Testament did predict that the Christ would remain forever among His people; the crowd at that time simply did not understand that this forever reign was still future. We who hope in Jesus the Christ can still look forward to His forever reign! Aligning ourselves with Him now keeps us in His light. We know where we’re headed, and it’s a glorious future!

 

Father, may I continue marching toward your glory even when I am troubled by the pain it will bring me. May I take pleasure in knowing that Your glory is certain, and that my troubles are not in vain. May I constantly come to You through faith in Christ, being faithful to You and bringing You glory by demonstrating Your redeeming grace. May I hold on to my King, Jesus Christ, and look forward to His return to reign among us forever! Keep my faith firm and my hope constant!