Wednesday 12 August 2026
- Bible Book:
- John
"Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say – 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name." (vs 27-28)
Background
This week we are reading chapter 12 of John's Gospel. As Jesus' life moves on the apostles can no doubt begin to fear that something dreadful is going to happen to the man they have given their lives over to following.
They still see this Jesus as a man amongst them. But then they hear the prophetic voice of God from heaven speaking in response to Jesus: "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." (v. 28). Jesus begins to tell them that, unlike what they might expect, his personality will continue. Although they still find it difficult to understand, Jesus then in his own words and in words from the scriptures the people already know says that his purpose does not come from his earthly life. As the passage ends Jesus encourages them to believe what he is saying before moving on and leaving them.
To Ponder:
- If we had been living in those times and had known the Jesus the disciples knew, would we have behaved any differently from them?
- Would we have felt fear knowing that a death sentence was on the cards for the man we loved so dearly?
- Would we still be people of faith today if these events had never happened? Was is through death and resurrection that God enabled God's voice and person to be known throughout the world?
Prayer
Risen Lord, who calls each of us to yourself, help us to be aware of the earthly journey you undertook to enable people to truly know you and pass on your story from generation to generation so that one day, your purpose will be fulfilled. We pray one day the world will truly become the one world you intend it to be. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Pat Billsborrow
Pat came into ministry 39 years ago and has been a supernumerary for 20 years. She is happy to continue serving wherever she is needed.