October 26, 2020 -- John 12:27 -- Suffering and Glory
/“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.”
John 12:27 English Standard Version
The book of John is broadly divided into two parts: the book of signs and the book of glory. The first twelve chapters have many miracles, or signs, which verify Jesus is Who He says He Is. He is fully God from all eternity and He is become incarnate—fully human. Chapter Thirteen onwards is the book of glory. He is now near the day of His betrayal, crucifixion and death. It will seem He has, unwillingly, been defeated. His flesh will suffer greatly. He Is the Lamb of God, by Whose suffering, crushing death our sins are fully atoned for. It is the hour for which He has come into the world—the Father is glorified in bringing many sons and daughters to salvation by Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus’ obedience brings glory to the Father. The Spirit, given to Jesus without measure, is proved to be the Spirit of Glory Who is the strength of the people of God. The Spirit of God Who sustained Jesus in His humanity through this crisis and trial is the same Spirit Who sustains you and me.
What trial or suffering are you enduring now? Perhaps your finances have been rocked by Covid-19. Perhaps you are facing marital crisis. Maybe your addictions are raging because you are denying yourself the alcohol (or insert here the addiction of choice) you’ve freely ingested before but now, in view of Jesus, you have chosen to live clean. Maybe you are dealing with coworkers who hate your faith. It might be your family does not understand your devotion to the cause of Jesus. Your life might be nearing its end and laying down your mortal flesh and the pains of illness or age which ravage you are so heavy to bear. The suffering of Jesus Christ is instructive.
The Spirit of God will sustain you. Pray and ask for the help of the Spirit because you cannot endure suffering in your own strength. Nor are you meant to.
Know that Jesus suffered and our if Master endured suffering we as His servants (who, according to John 15:14 are now not just slave-servants, but are called friends) will also suffer because we claim Him as our King.
The Father in heaven is glorified—He has chosen you, believe He will use every instance of suffering, every trial to build your faith, cleanse you of sinful corruptions and build in you a greater capacity for the Spirit to work so that your devoted love to Jesus is enlarged thus making even more perfect your witness to Jesus.
Great are You Lord Jesus, our Master and Friend! Blessed Spirit guide us in the right paths, especially now as our suffering is intense and bewildering. Father in heaven, remind us, by Your Spirit’s presence and the full glory of Jesus’ life displayed in the open pages of Scripture, of Your love that will never fade nor will You ever be bored with Your people. Let the purposes for which Jesus came into the world be accomplished—build up Christians in our faith, in community with one another and let the Light of Christ shining in and through us be a brilliant testimony to this world. Triune God, through our witness, bring many sons and daughters to the glory of knowing Your fulsome salvation. Amen.
