“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.” John 12:27-33
A father, his daughter and his Bible sitting on a ledge waiting for the rest of his children to be out of class at Bon Berger Lutheran school in Caredeux. Take a moment and consider how comfortable you are today with your present situation in life and consider what the remainder of the day was like for this man. There is no drive-up lane for parents to pick up their children after school or bus. This man will walk with his children back to their small humble dwelling and the children will do their homework while the sun is shining. There may be something to eat before going to bed on this day, but chances are there will not. The life his family is accustomed to is very different than our lives. We have one important and truly the only important thing in common with each other; we follow a Savior named Jesus. The Holy Spirit draws each of us to approach His Cross and find forgiveness for our sinfulness. Be ever thankful for our differences and for the opportunities to bless one another as He continues to bless us daily. I am closing today with the words from the hymn ‘Drawn to the Cross, which Thou hast Blest’ which were written by Genevieve M. Irons in 1880.
“Drawn to the Cross, which Thou hast blest with healing gifts for souls distress, to find in Thee my life, my rest, Christ Crucified, I come. Thou knowest all my griefs and fears, Thy grace abused, my misspent years; yet now to Thee with contrite tears, Christ Crucified, I come. Wash me and take away each stain; let nothing of my sin remain. For cleansing, though it be through pain, Christ Crucified, I come. And then for work to do for Thee, which shall so sweet a service be that angels well might envy me, Christ Crucified, I come.”
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.