×

     ”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. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:27-32

    Dear Lord Jesus, I’m greatly moved as I consider on how profoundly troubled you were as the events of “Passion Week” began to unfold. There was no doubt in your mind why you came into Jerusalem riding the foal of a donkey—great conflict, but zero doubt.

There wouldn’t be any surprises, for you knew what was coming—a plan secured before the world began (Eph. 1:3-14). In a matter of days, you’d take the wrath of Judgment Day for all who will trust in you. At the end of the week, your “bruised heel” (Gen. 3:15) would secure the ultimate crushing and “casting out” of the “ruler of this world”—Satan himself (Jn. 12:30).

     At the end of the week, you’d pay the supreme price for the redemption of God’s covenant people—a beloved family from every nation, tribe, people, and language—a number as great as the stars in the sky, the sand of the beaches, and the dust of the earth.

For this very reason you came from eternity, into time and space. For this very reason you emptied yourself of your glory by taking the form of a servant-man—the Lord’s Servant. For this very reason you became obedient—even obedient to death on the cross. Understandably so, your heart was greatly troubled, Lord Jesus (Phil. 2:5-11).

As the events of our week now unfold, grant us grace to survey the wonders of your cross, with greater attention and awe, humility and gratitude than ever. May our boasting in your cross grow exponentially, demonstratively, joyfully. So very Amen we pray, in your holy and loving name.

 

 

 

LOAD MORE
Loading