1/25/17
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
Jesus’ commitment to die for the sins of the world was enormous. We realize that. Or do we? In John 12:27-33, Jesus confesses that it would be a very normal thing to seek rescue from his impending death. No kidding about that! But what does Jesus say? “Father, glorify your name.” John records a voice coming from heaven affirming that the name of the Father has been glorified and will continue to be glorified. It brings glory to God when people are rescued from sin. They could not do it themselves. There is no escape other than trust in the Savior who has died in place of the sinner.
How does God glorify his name? He raises Jesus up. This statement is full of meaning. First, we recall that in Numbers chapter 21 Moses raised up a serpent on a pole. Those who looked to the non-living serpent raised up in a place of dishonor would be rescued from the deadly serpents attacking them. Jesus, a man, raised up on a pole in a place of dishonor, is the one we can look to for rescue from the death which has reigned among humans since the Fall. Jesus, the one who will raise us up in the last day, is raised from the dead. God’s promise is to raise all who are trusting in Jesus to eternal and blessed life in the end. God’s name is glorified as Jesus is lifted up.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
Jesus’ commitment to die for the sins of the world was enormous. We realize that. Or do we? In John 12:27-33, Jesus confesses that it would be a very normal thing to seek rescue from his impending death. No kidding about that! But what does Jesus say? “Father, glorify your name.” John records a voice coming from heaven affirming that the name of the Father has been glorified and will continue to be glorified. It brings glory to God when people are rescued from sin. They could not do it themselves. There is no escape other than trust in the Savior who has died in place of the sinner.
How does God glorify his name? He raises Jesus up. This statement is full of meaning. First, we recall that in Numbers chapter 21 Moses raised up a serpent on a pole. Those who looked to the non-living serpent raised up in a place of dishonor would be rescued from the deadly serpents attacking them. Jesus, a man, raised up on a pole in a place of dishonor, is the one we can look to for rescue from the death which has reigned among humans since the Fall. Jesus, the one who will raise us up in the last day, is raised from the dead. God’s promise is to raise all who are trusting in Jesus to eternal and blessed life in the end. God’s name is glorified as Jesus is lifted up.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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