John 12:27-36
"Now my soul is
troubled.” (John 12:27)
Have you ever heard someone use the phrase “the crux of the
matter”? It’s an idiom meant to describe the heart or central point of an
issue. The word crux is Latin from cross. In English the word describes difficulty.
From a Christian point of view, those two definitions are not inseparable.
As Jesus makes his way to the cross, we catch glimpses of
very real humanity. Today he expresses the internal struggle he has going on as
he faces the task ahead of him. He is troubled to his very core as he heads
toward “the crux of the matter.”
Tomorrow, our Lenten observance leads us to the crux of the
matter in what is known as the Three Days. This is what the Lenten path has led
us to: the cross. As we prepare to enter these days, what is the path that you
are on that is leading from death to life? How is it troubling you? What has
you fearful? Know that you’re not alone! We journey with one who knows our
fears and is leading to new life.
John 12:27-36 NRSV
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 with 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.
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 with 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.
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