Tuesday 13th August
Read John 12:23-26
“Jesus replied, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me.” (NIVUK)
At this pivotal moment in John’s gospel, when the ‘hour’ has finally arrived, Jesus makes clear that it involves death. Whilst in one sense the Lord’s glory has been revealed in Jesus’ works, those works are now cast in a different light. They are simply the prelude, the overture, to the full display of His glory. Jesus’ glory is most fully revealed in His death and eventual resurrection and ascension.
That is why it is a little strange that when the spotlight finally focusses on all Jesus will do to glorify God in this longed-for ‘hour’ that the spotlight widens so dramatically. Jesus’ death is not just about Him, it is about all those who will follow Him. The glory revealed in and through the Son is shared with those who serve Jesus. ‘My Father will honour the one who serves me’ (v26b).
When we hear Jesus’ words concerning His imminent death, with the benefit of hindsight, it is with humility that we listen carefully and realise it is both for us, and with us. Like Jesus it requires sacrificial service, but that service and sacrifice results in multiplication and growth in those who follow, honour and glorify God. The expansion of God’s glory through the whole world in Jesus is made real, enfleshed almost, by His people. By us.
