John 12:27-29, The Son of Man to Be Lifted Up

27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose 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 that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”  

As in Jesus’ baptism, we hear the voice of the Father, this time to answer the prayer of the Son. “I have glorified it,” the LORD says, “and I will glorify it again.” The people are confused – was this a storm? Or perhaps an angel? They do not recognize the voice of God. But Jesus does, and here again we see the unity of the Triune God, the God who is Love. Jesus says that his soul is troubled but recommits to His mission. His prayer is answered by His Father, who has glorified His name throughout the life of Jesus and will do so again in His death and resurrection. 

Is your soul troubled within you? Follow the example of Jesus and speak directly to God, who loves you and gave Himself up for you. May He answer your prayer today with His voice like thunder; may His name be glorified again and again!