It's Time For Glory
We have become attracted to this man, this Jesus. We have been reassured that he is the very power of goodness, and has come for the benefit of the people. We would like this man to stay alive for ever, to always be available whenever we are willing to accept his help. Instead of that Jesus begins to talk about his death, his ‘lifting up’ which refers to being executed on a cross. We are distressed, it is almost more than we can bear to think, that a man who has the power to do so much good to some many people, should accept the possibility of dying. How can he talk with acceptance of the way he expects to die – the cruelty of slow execution?
“Now is the time” Says Jesus, who up to now had consistently stated that it was not yet time. The disciples believed it was time to proclaim Jesus as King of Israel. Indeed, they had just that day, walked behind Jesus as he rode into the capital city where a great crowd had welcomed them; shouting out that Jesus was the king of their nation. Now is the time, said Jesus, for the Son of man to be glorified. ‘Time to be glorified’ how and what kind of glory? Jesus teaches them something icomprehensible, that it his death which will glorify him by showing his true nature and person.
“Believe me,” says Jesus, “when I tell you that a grain of wheat planted in the ground, is just one grain; until it dies, then it becomes many grains. If we cling to life in this world we loose it, if we hate our life in this world then we will keep our lives eternally. Whoever wants to follow me must become a servant of mine and where I am there will my servant be also. The Father will honor anyone who serves me.”
“When I am lifted up,” says Jesus, again referring to dying on a cross of execution, “I will draw all people to myself.” We can understand that, for we are already drawn to this person who is the very power of goodness, we are already hoping for his friendship. But how can a dying man draw people who flee in horror from his execution? How can the dead draw the living? Is there any glory in an execution usually reserved for criminals? How can Jesus be the power for good, how can he be what he claims to be, the Son of God himself if he is put to death by the power of evil?
xThe Gospel of John: chapter 12, verses 20 - 36
“Now is the time” Says Jesus, who up to now had consistently stated that it was not yet time. The disciples believed it was time to proclaim Jesus as King of Israel. Indeed, they had just that day, walked behind Jesus as he rode into the capital city where a great crowd had welcomed them; shouting out that Jesus was the king of their nation. Now is the time, said Jesus, for the Son of man to be glorified. ‘Time to be glorified’ how and what kind of glory? Jesus teaches them something icomprehensible, that it his death which will glorify him by showing his true nature and person.
“Believe me,” says Jesus, “when I tell you that a grain of wheat planted in the ground, is just one grain; until it dies, then it becomes many grains. If we cling to life in this world we loose it, if we hate our life in this world then we will keep our lives eternally. Whoever wants to follow me must become a servant of mine and where I am there will my servant be also. The Father will honor anyone who serves me.”
“When I am lifted up,” says Jesus, again referring to dying on a cross of execution, “I will draw all people to myself.” We can understand that, for we are already drawn to this person who is the very power of goodness, we are already hoping for his friendship. But how can a dying man draw people who flee in horror from his execution? How can the dead draw the living? Is there any glory in an execution usually reserved for criminals? How can Jesus be the power for good, how can he be what he claims to be, the Son of God himself if he is put to death by the power of evil?
xThe Gospel of John: chapter 12, verses 20 - 36
posted by Jessie Coates at 12:23 AM
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