Jesus, the Glory and the Shame
Glory and shame
The hour of Jesus’ glorification
Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘we would like to see Jesus.’ 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 23 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.
John 12:20-26
Shockingly, the glory is in the shame! Like climbing into the rubbish bin in your best clothes.
Some Greeks ask to see Jesus. The forerunners of God’s grace being poured out on the Gentile nations, and the signal that Jesus’ hour has at last come. “The seed must die”, must be buried to bring a harvest. V26 we also must follow His example, dying to our own wants to keep live and honour. Letting go the old “you”.
The Glorifying of the Father’s Name
27 ‘Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? “Father, save me from this hour”? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.’ 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. 30 Jesus said, ‘This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
John 12:27-33
He is troubled, but seeks through it to bring glory to the Father. The shame of the cross brings glory to the Father’s name. The Devil thinks he is winning, but is about to face his greatest defeat.
The Glory that Shines from the Son of Man.
35 Then Jesus told them, ‘You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.’ When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
John 12:35-36
Then He hides, for the exact hour is still several days away.
Glory, in the Midst of Unbelief
Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfil the word of Isaiah the prophet:
‘Lord, who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?’[b]39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:
40 ‘He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their hearts,
so they can neither see with their eyes,
nor understand with their hearts,
nor turn – and I would heal them.’41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.
John 12:37-41
They would not believe in Him. They could not believe, because spiritual eyes were blinded and their hearts hardened. Their “would not” and their “could not” are entwined together in God’s sovereignty. But He who can spiritual blind eyes can open the eyes.
The Glory of Man and the Glory of God.
42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved human praise more than praise from God.
John 12:42-43
Some believed but the fear of men, of losing their little “glory” before others, they kept quiet.
New International Version – UK (NIVUK)
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