I have glorified my name, and I will do it again
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Jesus said, "Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."
"Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life."
"Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor."
"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."
"Father, glorify your name."
Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again."
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"I have glorified my name, and I'll do so again."
In the darkest hour of Jesus' life, it seems a strange thing for God to announce to the crowd.
Is all this suffering supposed to be glorious?
Surely, God could make an easier way.
What good is it to be the Son of God if all it gets you is a public execution?
Personally, I would rather exhibit the glory of God by having angels sing when I enter the room.
What about all that water-into-wine, sight-to-the-blind, bread-and-fish-for-the-cro
Isn't that enough glory?
Well... no.
God's path to glory leads to the cross, the grave...
And then victory.
Victory isn't victory if it comes easy.
Glory isn't glory if it comes cheap.
On this Holy Tuesday we find ourselves in a pretty dark hour.
We would just as soon skip the covid and the quarantine.
Surely our glorious God can bless us with angel songs and halo lights.
But God was glorified in Christ's darkest hour.
And God will be glorified again.
It won't be easy.
There are dark days ahead.
But God is going to show the world real victory through your life.
And it is going to be glorious.
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Christ our God,
your love is poured out in death for our sakes.
Hold us in your embrace
as we wait for Easter's dawn.
Comfort us with the promise that no power on earth, not even death itself,
can separate us from your love;
and strengthen us to wait
until you are revealed to us
in all your risen glory. Amen.