“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. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”
John 12: 27-36 ESV
“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour?” (v27) When facing the great agonies of the cross, and as that hour gets near, Jesus’ soul was troubled. How amazing that the God of joy is also called the Man of Sorrows. The Almighty God had to experience sorrows, fear, and despair for the ones He loves. He did become a man of flesh and blood, and He does understand what it means to be afraid, anxious, and sad. He is a joyful God, but He never discounts our feelings of emotion and suffering. During this very moment of fear and despair, He poured out His heart to the Father. Our Lord can relate to and understand every pain, suffering, and hurt we are feeling. In Him, there is no condemnation, only grace and acceptance. Someone said, “God will accept a broken heart, but He must have all the pieces.” Pour out our heart to Him. No matter how broken we are, He can stitch those pieces back together, if we allow Him. He knows, and He heals.
“But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” (v27-28) Though His heart was troubled, Jesus did not lose sight of His purpose. Had His purpose caused Him pain and grieve? Yes! But that did not stop Him from fulfilling God’s will and glorifying His name. He had come for this hour, and He would not turn back. Not only we can find understanding and acceptance in the Lord, we can also find strength in Him. Compared to His journey to the cross, what we are facing today just seems so small. As we look upon the Lord who is lifted up for us, may we find comfort, strength, and courage to continue to carry on for Him.
Dear Lord, thank you for being the Man of Sorrows and suffered for me. You know how it feels to be in frustration, and you know how it feels to be in pain. You also care for me. You love is great and amazing! Fix my eyes on you and your cross, and help me to find comfort and strength in you.
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