23Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Very truly I tell you, 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. 25Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever 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 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. 28Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
30Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32And I, when I am lifted upg from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. (John 12)
Thoughts: Jesus knew that he had come to die- to this very hour (vs. 27). Jesus was very human and did not love pain. He was no masochist. His suffering was real and the prospect of His suffering made it that much worse. His ultimate service to us is to give His life for us.
He knew that His death would give much fruit. But He also wanted to encourage His disciples to die to themselves. That is, He wanted His followers to swallow their pride and die to selfishness in order to help other people. We are called to follow Him. If we seek to preserve our lives by seeking comfort, we may have temporary comfort but in the end we will lose our meaning,hope, and purpose. But if we give ourselves fully to the Lord, we will find our meaning and true eternal life.
Then He gives a promise to those who walk in His way: if you serve me, I will be with you. God blesses those who do His will with His presence.
The voice of the Father was heard at the baptism and at the transfiguration as means of encouragement to answer the call. This voice is for our benefit. For the voice of God calls us and draws us to do what He asks us to do in life, even if it means discomfort or a cross. For with each cross is a purpose. After each cross is a resurrection.
He knew that His death would give much fruit. But He also wanted to encourage His disciples to die to themselves. That is, He wanted His followers to swallow their pride and die to selfishness in order to help other people. We are called to follow Him. If we seek to preserve our lives by seeking comfort, we may have temporary comfort but in the end we will lose our meaning,hope, and purpose. But if we give ourselves fully to the Lord, we will find our meaning and true eternal life.
Then He gives a promise to those who walk in His way: if you serve me, I will be with you. God blesses those who do His will with His presence.
The voice of the Father was heard at the baptism and at the transfiguration as means of encouragement to answer the call. This voice is for our benefit. For the voice of God calls us and draws us to do what He asks us to do in life, even if it means discomfort or a cross. For with each cross is a purpose. After each cross is a resurrection.
Prayer: Lord, Help me to answer your call to serve.
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