John 12:20-36
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew, then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain, but if it dies it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
27 “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. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler 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 indicate the kind of death he was to die. 34 The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 Jesus said to them, “The light is in you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.”
After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them.
32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
Following Jesus through Holy Week can be a deeply emotional experience. The story of his betrayal, arrest, torture, trial, crucifixion, and burial is difficult to hear. It would be so much easier to sing Hosanna and wave Palms on Palm Sunday and then come back to sing Alleluia on Easter Morning. It would be easier, but Easter would be a hollow celebration without Holy Week.
I’m always intrigued by Jesus’ statement: 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” It would seem as though the focus of the story, as well as the unifying point for all humanity, would be the empty tomb. Thousands of people were crucified by the Roman Empire, but only one person was resurrected. And yet, the cross is the focal point of the story.
There is something so agonizingly beautiful about the way Jesus chooses to lay down his life for our sake that makes it impossible to look away. In that moment of absolute moral clarity and selflessness, God’s power is made perfect in love, and the world can never be the same.
As you meditate upon the figure of Jesus on the cross ask yourself, what do I see? As you look with the eyes of your spirit, Jesus will show you exactly why he did this for you.
Prayer: Lord Jesus: I am honored and horrified by your cross. The magnitude of the gift you have given me is more than I could begin to deserve. May my life of faith be an expression of my gratitude. AMEN