Wednesday 14th August
Read John 12:27-28a
“‘Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? “Father, save me from this hour”? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!’” (NIVUK)
The idea that there was no anguish at the prospect of death because of the glory promised I dealt a mortal blow here. All the gospels report Jesus’ anguish. John reports it here, at the tomb of Lazarus and in the Upper Room. Matthew, Mark and Luke describe the anguished prayers at Gethsemane. This is not the sanguine, resigned death of a Socrates, or the calm death of many martyrs, the prospect before Jesus is terrifying.
The martyrs’ deaths were so untroubled because Jesus was obedient unto death. He went through death for us. This is perhaps best captured by considering one of David’s psalms, a psalm that echoes Jesus’ anguish.
“Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your wrath.
2 Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint;
heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
3 My soul is in deep anguish.
How long, Lord, how long?
4 Turn, Lord, and deliver me;
save me because of your unfailing love.
5 Among the dead no one proclaims your name.
Who praises you from his grave?” (Psalm 6:1-5) (NIVUK)
David’s soul is troubled (v3) and He turns to Yahweh for relief and salvation (v4) for there is no glory on the other side of death (v5). Jesus echoes these thoughts but is torn; He knows that there is indeed glory on the other side of death. A death He knows He descended to earth to endure, for us. Ultimately His devotion and service drive Him to the cross, deliberately, despite His trepidation and fear of what it means. It means a rupture in the very relationship with the Father He holds so dear. Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus – that He would face death and endure the cross. For us.
