Sacrificial Yielding

Anne Jones

Central Truth

Jesus was not immune to distress. He knew the immense suffering that He was soon going to endure, yet He willingly chose to glorify the Father rather than succumbing to His flesh. With God's help, we can likewise choose to follow Christ's example and obey even in the face of adversity.

"Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name."

Some Greeks Seek Jesus

20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up

27 Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose 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 that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”

The Unbelief of the People

When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,

40 “He has blinded their eyes
    and hardened their heart,
lest they see with their eyes,
    and understand with their heart, and turn,
    and I would heal them.”

41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

Jesus Came to Save the World

44 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

Often when I face unpleasant or distressing events in life, my first response is to ask the Lord to save me from them. In other words, I would rather be spared from pain and hardship. Yet in this passage, we see Jesus admitting His distress and troubled soul while still yielding to the Father's will rather than His own.

Jesus knew that His death would bring tremendous physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering as He both bore the penalty for our sins and became separated from God. I am encouraged to know that Jesus did not avoid or minimize His emotions. Though tempted in His human flesh to avoid suffering, Jesus prayed and successfully reminded Himself of His mission here on earth.

As followers of Christ, we, too, can lean into God rather than attempting to avoid, minimize, or numb our pain through various addictions. The more we meditate on the truth of God's character, the more we will know His goodness and be able to trust that He has a purpose for our pain. When we believe that He is able to work ALL things together for good (Romans 8:28), we can surrender to His plan. We can then ask the Lord to glorify Himself through whatever hardship we face rather than praying for deliverance from it.

1. Read and reflect on Hebrews 4:15-16, which says: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." How does it feel to know that Jesus fully understands your hurts, your struggles, and your pain? Are you sharing those with Him? If not, what keeps you from doing so?

2. What does your flesh crave more than glorifying God? Pray that the Lord would reveal any idols you are desiring over Him.

3. What would help you to pray for God to be glorified in your life instead of simply praying for deliverance from trouble or hardships? Share your answer with your community group or someone else who can help you take that next step to grow in your faith.

4. In what area(s) of your life is the Lord asking you to sacrificially yield to Him for your good and His glory? Again, share with others who can pray for and encourage you in this.