John 12:20-36
"Sir, we want to see Jesus." This is the cry of everyone - believer and skeptic alike. The believer wants to be encouraged. The skeptic wants to see proof. At the end of the gospel of John, we hear this question over and over again - show us the presence of God! In this case, visiting Greeks are curious. Who is this Jewish miracle worker? Jesus' fame has increased and more and more people want to see what the fuss is about. It is time for Jesus to be glorified!
But here we meet the strange truth of the cross. Jesus does intend to be glorified. He will be 'lifted up' so that all people will see him. But his glory will be his death. He will be lifted up... on a cross.
So often, we seek God in the glorious things. We look for wisdom, and peace, and victory. We think we will find his face in the great and beautiful things of the world. But Jesus reveals to us that God is present in the painful things, the hard things. In foolishness, suffering and defeat we see the face of God.
This seems like bad news when we are on top of the world, and on top of our game. But it is actually good news because we can't stay on top forever! One day we will stumble and fall. All our strength will be revealed as an illusion. And that is where God can meet us as a humble, servant king. The cross of Jesus shows us who the heart of God. God's heart is revealed to his sinful people not in glory or power. His powerful and glorious face would destroy us. His heart is revealed in his sacrificial and humble love.
Such a God also leads us to love the broken and the poor in our world. We don't seek glory or riches. We seek the glory of Jesus - in sacrificial and humble love.
Prayer: Lord thank you for showing your face to us. Thank you that the face we see is tender, gentle, broken, like ours. you became like we are, so that we might become like you are.
No comments:
Post a Comment