“Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! Father, bring glory to your name… The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” John 12:27-32 (NLT)
Dear Lord Jesus, as the events of “Easter Week” began to unfold, the exuberant “Hosannas” gave way to great disturbance in your soul. There was zero hesitation, but profound consternation. No surprises awaited you, just an overwhelming assignment—a redemption you helped plan before the world began (Eph. 1:3-14).
Within days, you would take the judgment we deserve to give us the grace we can never earn. At the end of the week, your “bruised heel” (Gen. 3:15) would crush Satan’s head. The “ruler of this world” was “cast out” in defeat, as you took your last breath.
It was for this purpose you came from eternity into time and space. For this reason you “emptied yourself”—not of your deity, but of your glory. To this end you became obedient—even obedient to death on the cross (Phil. 2:5-11).
Because you were “deeply troubled,” we are “un-troubled” forever. By your finished work, we are forever free and fully forgiven; thoroughly known and deeply loved. We now have “no guilt in life, or fear in death.”
This week, may we survey your “wondrous cross” afresh. May “vain things” charm us less, as we behold “love so amazing, so divine.” So very Amen we pray, in your holy and grace-full name, Lord Jesus.
