John 12:20 Among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greek-speaking Jews. 21 They approached Philip, the one from Beit-Tzaidah in the Galil, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Yeshua.” 22 Philip came and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Yeshua. 23 Yeshua gave them this answer: “The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Yes, indeed! I tell you that unless a grain of wheat that falls to the ground dies, it stays just a grain; but if it dies, it produces a big harvest. 25 He who loves his life loses it, but he who hates his life in this world will keep it safe right on into eternal life! 26 If someone is serving me, let him follow me; wherever I am, my servant will be there too. My Father will honor anyone who serves me.
27 “Now I am in turmoil. What can I say — ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason that I have come to this hour. I will say this: 28 ‘Father, glorify your name!’” At this a bat-kol came out of heaven, “I have glorified it before, and I will glorify it again!” 29 The crowd standing there and hearing it said that it had thundered; others said, “An angel spoke to him.” 30 Yeshua answered, “This bat-kol did not come for my sake but for yours. 31 Now is the time for this world to be judged, now the ruler of this world will be expelled. 32 As for me, when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate what kind of death he would die.
(Complete Jewish Bible)
***
John's Jesus knows what he is up against. He chooses
not to be saved from this hour. In fact, he understands
that this, precisely, is his purpose. A voice from heaven
confirms it for the crowd. Jesus will glorify God's intent,
that the powers of this world--the ego, the avarice, the
greed, the justifying, the fear, the despair, the neglect--
will be diminished by one who was willing to walk straight
into the heart of it all and bear the cost. Jesus offers a
word to those of us who recall his undeserved death:
"When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people
to myself." Does this include those of us who see in
ourselves those same powers? Can we acknowledge that
we inflict damage that we sometimes cannot even see?
He invites us to become children of light, trusting that
what we will see will not destroy us.
Jesus, you are our light. Illumine us so that we might see
ourselves as redeemed by your life, and all that is to come.
Amen.
Catherine Malotky '86
Grant and Project Manager for the Center for Stewardship Leaders, Luther Seminary
John 12:20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks.
21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus."
22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
23 Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
27 "Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say--"Father, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour.
28 Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again."
29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him."
30 Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine.
31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out.
32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. (New Revised Standard Version)
John's Jesus knows what he is up against. He chooses
not to be saved from this hour. In fact, he understands
that this, precisely, is his purpose. A voice from heaven
confirms it for the crowd. Jesus will glorify God's intent,
that the powers of this world--the ego, the avarice, the
greed, the justifying, the fear, the despair, the neglect--
will be diminished by one who was willing to walk straight
into the heart of it all and bear the cost. Jesus offers a
word to those of us who recall his undeserved death:
"When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people
to myself." Does this include those of us who see in
ourselves those same powers? Can we acknowledge that
we inflict damage that we sometimes cannot even see?
He invites us to become children of light, trusting that
what we will see will not destroy us.
Jesus, you are our light. Illumine us so that we might see
ourselves as redeemed by your life, and all that is to come.
Amen.
Catherine Malotky '86
Grant and Project Manager for the Center for Stewardship Leaders, Luther Seminary
John 12:20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks.
21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus."
22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
23 Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
27 "Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say--"Father, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour.
28 Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again."
29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him."
30 Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine.
31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out.
32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. (New Revised Standard Version)
The Luther Seminary
No comments:
Post a Comment