Thank You, Father, for friends from long ago who are yet friends today. I am grateful for new friends as well. I am blessed with the camaraderie of both. And all, of course, can be traced back to Your bounteous care and love!
John 12:27-36 (<<click here to read the passage)
Have you ever been torn between choices you’ve had to make? Having to choose to do something that you would do anything not to have to do is often beyond difficult. Oft times not doing what has to be done can lead to just as excruciating ends.
Here is a hypothetical(ish) example. You are a part of an important organization that is very close to tearing itself apart. A meeting must transpire to address the problem that is at hand. It will be uncomfortable and could very well lead to harsh words on the part of both “sides”. In the end, division could still take place but ignoring it is just killing the organization. So, though hope is small, confrontation is of the greatest necessity. And with great misgivings and with aching of heart, soul, and mind, you move forward and cast aside all thoughts of retreat.
Just about any situation could be accommodated to fit in the above situation. We’ve all found ourselves on one side or the other. Some relish those kinds of things but most of us dread them. But we must do what needs to be done.
Jesus found Himself between the greatest rock and hard spot to ever exist in all of eternity. Understanding that He was just as fully man as He was God, helps us to appreciate why He said at the beginning of verse 27,

“Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’?” NLT

Jesus knew what was coming. We know now what was coming. Incomprehensible pain and suffering were just days away. The physical aspects alone of what He would be put through would have given us cause to not only pray the prayer Jesus prayed but, how many of us would have run as far away from the whole thing as quickly as we could?
Then there is the spiritual part that we can only struggle to grasp. Jesus would literally be taking upon Himself – and He being pure and holy to the uttermost – the sins of man. And not just one man or woman but all the entirety of humanity from creation until judgment day! Unbelievable right?
But this was Jesus’ answer to His own prayer.

“But this is the very reason I came! Father, bring glory to your name.” v27b-28

Jesus may have been torn between two very difficult situations, but He chose – he wasn’t forced, or coerced – he chose to go through it all because it was the only way we would be saved from the condemnation we all so justly deserve. All glory and praise to His holy name! Amen.

Aug 17th, 2021, Tues, 7:14 pm