Father, Bring Glory to Your Name

Advent Reading

In Episode 1 of our Advent series, Andy referenced a passage in John 12 that isn’t your typical advent scripture but is so good to hold onto today. Jesus is talking about fulfilling His purpose for coming, and beginning in verse 27, speaking of his death on the cross, He says, “Now my soul is distraught. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came!”

His heart was in pain, and He cried out, “Father, bring glory to your name.” Then God spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.”

 (When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him). Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for your benefit, not mine. For now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out!” (John 12:27-31)

The people didn’t see the purpose or plan that God had put in motion when Jesus was born. Jesus, even though He knew, was still grieved and troubled over what He had to endure. But God saw through the scope of eternity  as our redemption and reconciliation was being formed in Jesus’ painful obedience!  

God would be glorified, and the prince of this world would be driven out! 

God spoke His intention over Jesus in the final moments leading up to the Cross, when everything would change. This is what the thrill of hope sounds like! God’s voice speaking over our struggle and pain, and declaring that He will be gloried in it, and through it! 

2020 is tough, and evil is having its day. But our faith calls us back from present sorrows and problems to the moment that Jesus flipped the script. Let’s remember Jesus’ birth, but also Him glorified and victorious in resurrection and bring our year into perspective through that historical and eternal lens. 

The waves of 2020 are troubling. The things we are confronting and the division the enemy is sowing is very real. We are grieving. We are contending. We are serving and continually seeking His heart and directive. But we do not operate from a foundation that is crumbling! If we feel that it is, everything in our lives will begin to feel tenuous. Our foundation is Jesus. He is glorified, and 2020 doesn’t change that.

Today, let’s be encouraged! The glory of his story is so much greater than the weight we’re facing this December. Let’s pull people who are drowning and floundering to Jesus, instead of joining them in the waves of fear that are tossing our culture to and fro. Jesus is secure, and when we are anchored on Him, it allows us to pull others up. 

Be surrounded and enveloped again by his ability to meet you right where you are, as you are, as He draws you into something with much more purpose, and much more profound than you have realized!

God is using 2020 to pull you into something bigger than you can comprehend, and His glory is revealed. 

Can you see it? 

He is opening up deeper wells of  faith in your life. 

Can you feel it? 

He is reminding you of your life’s purpose and giving you a call to action! 

Do you hear it? 

Advent Activation

Seek the Lord for those in your life who need to hear from you today, and connect with them! Who needs to be encouraged in a risk they are taking? Who needs to be championed as they step in a new direction? Who needs to be seen during a battle they are fighting? We are the body of Christ, and if someone is hurting, we all should empathize and respond! Reach out. Make the call. Extend grace and mercy. Forgive the offender. Release the judgment. Expect miracles—partner in prayer. Give where there’s a need. And build up what has been torn down! Walk the redemptive path!