March 18, 2015: John 12:20-33

We encourage you to read this devotion three times a day.  Start in the morning and reflect upon the morning reflection question. Then in the afternoon, read it again and reflect using the noon question for reflection.  For the evening, take time to ponder how this has resonated with you in the day and reflecting using the evening question.  We offer a prayer with each devotion for you to pray or we invite you to pray what is in your heart.

John 12:20-33 (NIV)

²⁰ Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival.²¹ They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” ²² Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

²³ Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. ²⁴ Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. ²⁵ Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶ Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

²⁷ “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. ²⁸ Father, glorify your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” ²⁹ The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

³⁰ Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. ³¹ Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince 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 show the kind of death he was going to die.

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Reflection: The Truth Will Set You Free

 Ouch!  As the passion of Jesus nears, we hear a prophetic voice of Jesus.  He continues to speak truth in our lives- even when we don’t understand.  This truth has the potential to bring healing to our lives.  So often we don’t want to hear the truth.  We cannot bear to think of where we are and how we got here and yet God continues to speak (vv. 30) for our “benefit”.  Thank goodness we have a God who doesn’t give up on us.  Even in the shadow of the cross Jesus seeks us out.  He continues to help us face the truth- even when it is uncomfortable.  He does all of this for our “benefit”.  There is a freedom about God truly knowing us and still not giving up on us.

Reflection Questions:

Morning :What truth is God trying to speak into your life?

How is the reality of God not giving up on you to bring a freedom into your life?

Noon: What truth is God calling you to consider today?

Evening:How is your life changed by knowing that God knows us, and yet continues to speak to us? How has God spoke to you today?