Glorify Your Name

In John 12:27, 28 we read these words:

27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose 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.”

The soul of Jesus was troubled. He had just mentioned in 12:24 that a grain of wheat must fall and die in order to bear much fruit - a picture of his death that would bear much fruit. It is certainly understandable that Jesus’ soul would be troubled. What he was to do was take the wrath of God against the sins of His people upon Himself. It is impossible for us to fathom that weight. Yet Jesus was resolute. He knew his purpose. And he also knew that it all was for the glory of the Father. His commitment was the to will of God and the glory of God.

Where is our commitment? It is likely that many of us are troubled right now. We don't know what is going to happen today, next week, next month. It is a time of uncertainty. But what are we committed to? The Westminster Shorter Catechism’s first question and answer is this:

Question: What is man’s chief end?

Answer: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

Father - glorify Your name! May that be our chief concern in all that we face these days (and every day after this coronavirus has passed). The glory of God. And know this, pursuing the will of God will bring enjoyment. It will bring satisfaction no matter what it takes us through.

This reminds me of two passages. First, Isaiah 53:11, as it gives a picture of the work and sacrifice of the Suffering Servant - of Christ himself.

11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; 

by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, 

make many to be accounted righteous, 

and he shall bear their iniquities. 

From the anguish of His own soul He was satisfied. He accomplished the salvation of His people by His death and resurrection. He bore our sin upon Himself. Let us look to Him in everything.

And next, Hebrews 12:1,2:

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 

I’ll leave that text to speak for itself. And I’ll leave you with another Michael Card song - “A Violent Grace.”