God of Our Reversals

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“Never meet your hero, because you will always be disappointed.”

We usually have some great expectations for who these people are and what they do, so it is a let down when we find out that they aren’t that different from us.
I wonder if the Greek followers in this passage, had that same thought when they met Jesus.

Some Greeks went to Galilee to see Jesus.

They must have heard about Jesus and all the good that was done through him.
They did not ask him to perform a miracle.

It was about Jesus’ reputation.

But Jesus wanted them to know that following him was no easy task

Knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus are very different things.

John 12:25 NIV
25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

They must freely choose to lose control of their lives to God to be able to keep it.

Though the NIV uses the word hate in vs. 25, the implication is to prefer the leading and direction of God over their own preferences and comfort.

Jesus’ soul was troubled by the prospect of suffering and death, especially an excruciating death on a cross.

Jesus wasn’t looking to be delivered from his suffering and death.

Jesus understood his mission as saving the world by submitting his humanity before God.

Jesus’ death on the cross was the culmination of his humanity saving ministry.

Hebrews 5:5 NIV
5 In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.”
Hebrews 5:7–9 NIV
7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him

Only through submitting his humanity in its entirety will allow for God to be revealed through him to be the savior of all humanity.

Whether we follow him or reject him, we stand before the righteous judgment of God, either to be driven out or to be lifted and drawn to him for eternity.
The people heard the voice of the Father for their benefit, since they respected God their creator but did not respect Jesus.

Jesus gives priority to God’s reputation over his suffering and death.

John 12:26b NIV
26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
In response to Jesus’ submission in saying “Father, glorify your name!” He said, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” – vs. 28

In submitting to Jesus, we will be glorified, as Jesus was glorified in submitting to the Father.

If we lifted up Jesus by following him, doing as he did, we will be lifted up.

Here and now, we are to follow Jesus in obedience; if we are willing to risk following God’s way through suffering, pain, and betrayal.

God does not leave us without the resources to follow in obedience.

We are empowered by his Holy Spirit to navigate through life, to endure suffering, to continue to love, to receive joy in the journey, exude kindness to all in showing them the way.

In all of this, we find faithfulness in following after Jesus Christ.

God assures us that we belong to him.

God writes his moral law in our minds and hearts.

God teaches us wisdom by the deposit of his Spirit within us.

God does not do this for us alone.

Instead of planting seeds of resentment, suffering, and hate, we plant the seed of love in the heart of others.

By serving others we do this faithfully as Jesus does, reversing evil, transforming it for our good, for the good of the whole world.

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