April 19th, 2018

John 12:27-36 “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.
 
JESUS had two natures. He was God, and he was man. This is why we can call him “Savior”. The perfect “firstborn” Son of God (Hebrews 1:6) fulfilled God’s law to be God’s sacrificial Lamb. Still it’s true, in Jesus’ “man” or human nature, he also knew doubt and fear. The man knew the horrid cross is near. He has likely seen Rome’s victims horribly executed as Rome placed them in public view along roadsides for all to see and fear Rome.  
           Jesus, the man, doesn’t want to go. Jesus’ human nature is screaming at him, “No, no!” He is experiencing temptation as we all do when faced with fearful steps. Our human nature urges, “Take the easy way out. Do what you want to do! You’ve worked hard, did all the Father asked you to do all your life. Now it’s your turn. Go have some fun. Live to a ripe old age. You deserve it.” Fear can kill our God-given mission.
           Oh, but Jesus remained true to his mission. The God man knew the cross’ purpose. He had to go to the cross. The cross was the only way. This was the Father’s way, and he, the Son, was determined to do the Father’s will. Even though it was the hardest way.
           Why would God come to die a tortuous human death? The answer is love. Jesus’ love for the Father formed a joy in his heart to obey the Father. Jesus’ love for you created an unstoppable desire to lay down his life for you. The Resurrection and the Life was opening the gateway for you, your friends and family to be born again. Jesus died because he loves his creation. He wants you to be with him in eternity.
           Living in faith we understand these two things: 1) Jesus loves the Father and is faithful to the Father’s will. 2) We must love God who first loved us.
           Yes, obey his commands. Live in joy. (See John 15:10-15.) Honor God. As Jesus, complete the purpose to which he has called you. Even if it’s the hardest thing, even to the death, God is there to love you in glory and eternity.
 
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I mourn your suffering for my sins. I rejoice in your faithfulness for my salvation. Amen.
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