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March 29, 1998
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John 12: 27-33
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The Greatest Hour in All Of History
"I, when I am lifted up, will draw everyone to Myself." John 12:32
The text from John 12 takes place during that first Holy Week twenty centuries ago. Jesus provides us with a brief but panoramic view of the greatest hour in all of human history. Look with me at the scenery.
First we encounter the awesome tragedy of human sinfulness. "Now is My heart troubled" says Jesus. Being truly human Jesus gives us a brief glimpse of the agony He was going through because of the burden of our sinfulness. At this moment He knew exactly what was in store for Him - the Cross. Truly human, He begs the question: "Shall I say, 'Father, do not let this hour come upon Me?'" He quickly responds with the only possible answer: "But this is why I came . . . ." A day or two later we see Him agonize in the Garden of Gethsemane, and then on that first Good Friday, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" This was the ultimate agony.
But in our text Jesus moves quickly away from His agony to give us a glimpse of divine glory. "I, when I am lifted up . . . ." This expression points in two directions, first to being lifted up on the Cross, and then to the Ascension and being lifted to the seat of honor at his Father's right hand. "When I am lifted up" - from this vantage point look back and see that the event of the Cross has signaled the defeat and destruction of an unrepentant world and its ruler, Satan. Then look forward and hear the most precious message to all who are true saints: "I, when I am lifted up, will draw everyone to Myself." In this expression is housed our forgiveness, new life, and salvation. All this is the glory of God. And to think, I may be a part of all this, God's victory scene. That is what my baptism is all about. In that event all that Christ endured and won becomes mine. In His love and righteousness my Lord has made it possible for me, the sinner, to share in the victory of history's greatest hour.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we give You thanks for our Lord's Passion. Amen.
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