March 22 – Now is the Time
John 12:20-33
Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew went with Philip and they told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If any one serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also; if any one serves me, the Father will honor him.
“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify thy name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd standing by heard it and said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world, now shall the ruler of this world be cast out; and I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” He said this to show by what death he was to die.
Jesus just entered into Jerusalem like a king, and He had people of all walks of life now following Him: Jews, Gentiles and now the Greeks were all wanting to meet Him. Jesus speaks with all of them, declaring now is the time for God and for Him to be glorified. There is no longer any time to waste! Do we hear that, too? There is no longer any time to waste. We must choose before it is too late. We must follow Jesus and become a servant to others.
Looking to His week ahead, Jesus knew that He was only a few days away from suffering, dying and being glorified. God confirms to the crowd that He will glorify His name with a thundering voice. Not all of us will hear the thundering voice of God confirming our path although there are many who can testify to hearing the voice of God, as clear as someone standing in front of them talking. Others may hear His voice in a whisper, or even an answered prayer. Pray always and live a life that is pleasing to God, and He will glorify His Name through our lives.
Jesus finishes by prophesying what is to come. Jesus will pay the price for the judgment against not only the Jews, but also for the rest of the sinful world. By His sacrifice, the devil is defeated and we are given a way, through the Son, to go to the Father in Heaven. Glory be to God!
Lent in Action:
Do not wait one more minute; kneel before the Cross and thank Jesus for all He has done for you.
Pray:
Thank you Jesus, for giving up your life for me and my sin. My soul is also troubled just thinking about all that you had to suffer. Please lead me along my path, and confirm that I am doing the work of your Father. Show me what more I can do to live a life pleasing to You. In your Holy Name. Amen.