John 12:27-29 Humility leads to glory
Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” So the crowd of people who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, “An angel has spoken to Him.” John 12:27-29
Background
In this episode, Jesus began to contemplate on the sufferings that would soon befall Him. From this point forward, Jesus conscientiously prepared the disciples for His impending death and suffering. Jesus appeared to struggle between obedience; to suffer for the sins He never committed or request the Father to “save” Him from the cross. Having committed Himself to do the Father’s will, He focused on the battle ahead stressing that the ruler of this world would be cast out at the cross. He wrestled with Jewish leaders who were blind to the scriptures that spoke about the suffering that would befall the Son of Man.
Observation
Jesus expressed His agony, being deeply troubled in His soul as He was about to go to the cross. He supposed the Father would save Him from suffering if He asked; yet He knew it was for this purpose that He was sent. Then He said decisively, “Father, glorify Your name”, and the Father boomed in affirmation of His Son, “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” What does it mean to glorify His Son? It means to reveal Jesus’ divine origin through His resurrection. It is the Father’s desire to exalt all His sons by displaying His love and power through them. As for Jesus, the hour has come for Him to enter into suffering, to be humiliated in the hands of evil man and be raised up in victory and glory.
Truth
1. The Father exalts those who do His will in spite of being humiliated.
God said to Abraham, “I will make your name great.” (Genesis 12:2). God said to Abraham’s descendants, “Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.” (Deuteronomy 28:1). Even though Abraham owned nothing in a foreign land, he obeyed God and went. Jesus loves and obeys the Father. He humbled Himself and suffered under evil men for the sins He never committed. Because of His obedience, the Father exalted Him as King and Lord of creation (Philippians 2:8-9). In humility, Jesus put the interest of man above His own. The below passages taught about the connection between humility and glory.
But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position. James 1:9
Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. James 4:10
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time. 1 Peter 5:6
Human pride keeps us from doing what God says and demands things to be done according to our way. Pride causes man to detract from the values of God, which is love, patience and righteousness. For a prideful person, God is never the center of his life, but suppose that the whole world revolves around him. However, God uses a person who puts God’s will above his own agenda and exalts him in due time. No matter what our circumstances may be, if we hold fast to what is right, and do all things out of love, God will vindicate and reward us.
Do not envy those who prosper even though they may be evil, for they will soon be cut off. But those who wait patiently and faithfully on God will inherit the land (Psalm 37:9). You may feel trapped because of your family situation, or you feel pressed on all sides and things at work are not favorable. I want to encourage you to receive the promises of God and His grace to do what is right. David said, “My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.” In His time, He will come and save you from your problems.
2. God uses difficult circumstances to increase our faith leading to maturity.
When we are met with unfavorable circumstances, our faith is challenged and confidence is stretched. It is here when we come to recognize our limitations and reach out to God for help. This is when faith in God and the characteristics of Christ will start to grow within us. There are three reasons why people suffer: Firstly, it’s a fallen world and Christians are not exempt from the sufferings of this world. Secondly, consequences that comes from making wrong choices. Thirdly, suffering that comes when we follow Christ’s way of life. Jesus said, “Take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24-26) which depicts suffering and making sacrifices for others. Apostle Paul said, “we are afflicted in every way, … always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). It is through suffering that the life of God may be manifested in our body; when we depend on God after reaching the end of our strength, greater grace will be added to us. Hence, God allows suffering to befall His children, so that we may depend on Him and grow in His likeness.
Applications
1. Understand God’s purpose for each difficulty that came into your life. Identify the character traits that God is trying to bring to maturity.
2. Allow God to exalt you in your community by being bold and speaking things that bring hope and righteousness. Let the light within you shine dispelling hopelessness and bitterness from your family and workplace. Let your words bring unity and truth to the community.
3. Exalt others when they are found worthy of commendation. Even as God exalts us as His children, we endeavor to exalt others as well.
Dear Lord, help me not to be affected by people and their behavior. I receive strength from you to speak things that bring hope and truth to my family, church and workplace. I humble myself and put the interest of the community above my own. I thank you, the difficulties that I am facing now is not a punishment, but to lead me towards maturity. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.