Honored by God!

Honored by God! When the we live at a time that the very name of Jesus is so misunderstood--when His very divinity is openly attacked-- we need to remember that Jesus, the Son of God, was glorified by God before all men through His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension in heaven!

23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
(John 12:23-26, King James Version)

Honored by God

If you will remember, Jesus' disciples just reported to Him that the Greeks were seeking to know Him. He answers in a rather unusual way.

The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

Then, Jesus continues with the explanation that except a corn of wheat fall to the ground and die, it will not be fruitful, but by its death it will bring forth much fruit. Where is Christ going with this? First of all, He is again telling the disciples that He must die so that the Gospel will be spread to all the world.

There is more to this, however, than just His coming death. We are His children, and we are called to follow Him. Does that mean that we must all die for the sake of the Gospel? Maybe! What He is really saying here is that we must all die to the things of the world, and live only for Christ.

Does that seem like too great a price to pay? Christ, the Son of God, the Lord of Glory, has left His home to come here and save a people for Himself. Is it too much, then, to ask us to give up the things of this world to serve Him?

That does not mean we must all go into the pastorate or become missionaries, but it does mean that wherever we are, our primary goal is to live for Christ. Rather than being consumed by the things of this world, we must be consumed by Christ!

Why is this true? If we would be honored by the Father, we must give up the things of this world. Let us pray that, by the grace of God, our focus will be on our Lord Jesus Christ, and serving Him faithfully wherever He has put us.

Let us focus our eyes on our eternal life with Christ which far exceeds anything this world can offer!

Next: Glorify God - Verses 27-33