"Father, glorify Your name"

These are the words of Jesus as he was in His last week on the way to the cross (John 12:28). He was the grain of wheat that was about to fall into the ground and die (John 12:24). As He faced the cricifixion, his soul was troubled (v.27) deeply. The other gospel writers tell us more about his agony as the cross approached. Now was Jesus' hour to suffer ultimate agony: he would become sin, taking the wrath of His Father, being separated from the Father as the Sin-Bearer. The sinless one would taste of death for sin. What would Jesus do?

Jesus asked: "And what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour?" (v.27). "Father, keep me from this suffering. I don't deserve it. It will separate me from you for the first time in my human life. I will be humiliated beyond that suffered by any other man. Pain that causes me to tremble to the depths of my sinless soul. It is too much to ask. They don't deserve this kind of sacrifice from Me. Save me." What would YOU do? What DO you do...when you are facing suffering, unfair accusations, the anger and rage of evil, uncaring people? Do you say, "Father, save me from this hour?"

Jesus would NOT say that. Rather, He said, "But for this purpose I have come to this hour." I came for this. This is my purpose. This is the Father's will for me. This is what it takes to fulfill God's will for me. I knew it was coming and now it is here. I will not try to squirm out. I will not shrink from my duty now that the time has come to suffer.

And then He astounds those of us who are still unclear on the concept of what it means to bring glory to God through our lives. Jesus said, "Father, glorify your name." The Father would receive glory, He would be seen as great in His saving mercy, His love for wretched rebels would be made to shine to the heavens for eternity by lifting up the Son on the cross to suffer as a criminal. It would please the Father to bruise the Son like the Son deserved His wrath.

With the cross facing Him, Jesus' decision here shows what was the deepest driving force of His life..."Father, glorify your name."

Not...
Father...make me comfortable, or
Father...keep me from humiliation, or
Father...let them suffer...they deserve it, or
Father...isn't there another way? or
Father...isn't there someone else, or
Father...why me? or
Father...couldn't we talk about this? or
Father...how could you?, but
Father...glorify Your name.

May we so love the Father and so trust the Father and so desire the Father's glory!