“ ‘Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour?’ But for this purpose, I came to this hour. Father, glorify Thy name.’ ” John 12:27-28
The Glory of Jesus was a reflection of The Father’s face. Jesus prayed and stayed in line with the will of The Father, by never turning His face from the eyes of The Father. His obedient life reflected The Presence and the pleasure of The Father.
The purpose of Jesus was not to make a name for Himself, but to make a difference, by glorifying the name of His Father. By His Son’s prayer-fueled obedience, even unto death on The Cross, The Father honored His Son’s name, and made a difference through Him. Jesus radiated The Presence of God.
“He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Hebrews 1:3
When Jesus prayed, The Father heard Him. When Jesus prayed, The Father answered Him. These two simple statements should fill any prayer warrior with fresh hope and renewed expectation that the prayers of Jesus, The Intercessor, are still being heard and answered. Believing prayer and answered prayer marked the prayer life of Jesus, and remain the hope of all who do what words of an old hymn say, “Tell it to Jesus!”
“Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.” Romans 8:34
The Glory of Jesus came with a very high price. Anyone who runs to the spotlight to command a stage in front of an adoring audience should take pause before they take credit, for drawing the crowd. They would be wise to take up their cross, to follow Jesus, to be filled with His Spirit, and to die to self, before they take glory for what Jesus did for them.
Even in this arid culture’s moral desert, there is little tolerance for those who high-jack the sacrifice of dedicated war veterans. Parading around, after pinning on unearned medals, on uniforms purchased on the cheap at a local thrift shop is obscene. There are “Stolen Valor” laws on the books against the cowards. They should not go unpunished. But I digress.
At the height of His popularity, His celebrity status drew an eager audience looking for some time with Jesus. He responded, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified…if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” John 12:16
Jesus did not fall into the trap Satan sets. He tempts fools to substitute personal popularity for power in prayer. The focus of Jesus, throughout His life on earth was to remain pleasing to The Father. He did not waste His time, gaining the approval of men. He invested His life in spending time in prayer with His Father. Kingdom fruit is produced by being consistently connected to the power of The Father, not by being well connected to men of power. Note to self: Choose wisely.
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Myself.” John 12:32
Jesus wasn’t referencing a public relations campaign, but a death on a cross. Before Jesus was glorified, He was crucified. This chronology should not escape the notice of those who claim the name of Christ, and carry out His mission. The servant is never greater than The Master. Anyone who expects to please The Father, must follow The Son, and take up their own cross, and die to self, not just once, but at least daily.
“But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die.” John 12:33
There is no glorification without crucifixion. Those who want the speaking platform without spending time in the prayer closet may gain the prominence offered by the former, but they will never be connected to the power source of the latter. It is only a matter of time before the sad spectacle of another prayerless preacher’s private failure will lead to public embarrassment. The list of examples is too numerous to mention, and is impossible to update fast enough to be current.
The prayers of Jesus reveal so much about His character and His love for The Father. His passion in prayer was the pleasure of The Father. His prayer life influenced His purpose in life. He became more concerned with a genuine revival than with His own personal survival. Only believing prayer brings new life.
Jesus resisted the urge to escape The Cross to live for His own purpose. By praying, He received the courage to die to His will, and to fulfill His Father’s purpose. Believing prayer glorifies The Father’s name, and makes a difference in the world. When it comes to prayer, follow Jesus. TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!