John: Glory that Matters

John 12:27-50

In the first ten chapters of John’s Gospel, we see multiple instances where the religious leaders tried to arrest Jesus. Each time, he escaped their efforts because his “hour” had not yet come (John 2:4; 7:6, 8, 30; 8:20). But now, the time for the cross was upon him (John 12:23). 

Jesus knew that his mission on earth was to die for humanity's sins on the cross. That was the will of the Father; that’s what Jesus came to accomplish. But now, as the time was near, his heart felt heavy. With the cross less than a week away, Jesus said, “Now is my soul troubled” (John 12:27). 

The word translated as “troubled” conveys a deep sense of agitation. It is like water that is stirred up and swirling. Because Jesus was both fully God and fully man, he had feelings of distress about what was ahead. But Jesus knew his mission and purpose. He continued, “And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’?” The sentence expects the answer, “No, of course not.” Jesus then stated, “But for this purpose I have come to this hour” (John 12:27). 

There is no denying it—Jesus dreaded the cross. It is said that Jesus feared death more than anyone else. He later prayed to the Father, asking for another way with such intensity that his sweat became drops of blood. Theologian Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) said this of Christ’s anticipation of the cross: 

And if the mere forethought of this cup made him sweat blood, how much more dreadful and excruciating must the drinking have been! Many martyrs have endured much in their bodies, while their souls have been joyful, and have sung for joy, whereby they have been supported under the sufferings of their outward man…. But this was not the case with Christ; he had no such support.[1]

Despite these feelings, Jesus said, “Father, glorify your name.” That’s a statement of humility and surrender.

John 12:28-29
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 made it clear to those around him that the voice was for their benefit. No doubt, he was constantly communicating with his Father (John 12:30). Jesus explained that he would be “lifted up from the earth,” indicating the kind of death he would face. Through his ultimate sacrifice, he would open the way to God and defeat the “ruler of this world” (John 12:31-33). 

Jesus’ prediction of his death always seemed to confuse his hearers. The crowd on that day was adamant that the Messiah would never die (John 12:34). Jesus exhorted them to listen to him and his message while they still had the opportunity.

John 12:35-36
So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”

This was all Jesus wanted to say to the crowd. He “departed and hid himself from them” (John 12:36). The people had heard Jesus speak, they knew his message, they had seen him do many signs, yet they did not believe (John 12:37). John said that their response to Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

John 12:38-40
“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.” 

John adds an interesting point. He said, “Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him” (John 12:41). Isaiah, who lived seven hundred years before Jesus, saw God's glory and spoke about the coming Messiah. Fulfilled prophecy proves the accuracy and trustworthiness of Scripture. 

During the final week of his life, Jesus continued to proclaim the message of eternal life. He was resolute regarding the fact that his authority and message came from the Father (John 12:49-50). Jesus said,

John 12:44-48
Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.

John notes that many people, including authorities, believed in Jesus and trusted him as the Messiah. However, the Pharisees announced that anyone who trusted in Jesus would be excommunicated from the Jewish community and barred from worshiping in the temple. Therefore, many who believed remained silent “for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God” (John 12:43). 

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther challenged certain practices and doctrines of the Catholic Church, especially the selling of indulgences. He wrote his Ninety-Five Theses and nailed them to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany.

On April 17, 1521, Luther finally faced Emperor Charles V and church officials at the Diet of Worms to defend himself. He was asked two questions: whether the writings belonged to him, and if he would recant what he had written. He admitted that the words were his but requested time to consider the second question. Luther was granted one day. 

The meeting took place the following day, during which Luther stated that he stood by his beliefs, which were based on God’s Word and his conscience. He concluded by saying, “Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen.” 

Can you imagine facing the vast and powerful Catholic Church with your life at stake? Many others shared Luther's beliefs but didn't have the courage to stand up for them. However, Luther valued God's glory more than people's praise. 

We need to be men and women of such courage!

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on John 12:27-50. Focus on John 12:43. Do you have the courage to stand for God even if you must stand alone?

Talking to God: Whose approval are you truly living for—and would your life look any different if your only aim was to glorify God rather than please others?

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