Reflections based on John 12:20–36.

‘Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”’ (v23)

Jesus was conscious of God’s preordained timing of events throughout His ministry. This meant He carried out God’s purposes while on earth in a way that sometimes baffled His disciples. For example, instead of travelling immediately to heal the dying Lazarus Jesus ‘stayed where he was two more days’ (John 11:6), knowing that the miracle of raising Lazarus from death would bring the greatest glory to God.

Jesus knew His life on earth would end unnaturally prematurely, and that He would have to suffer the cruellest of deaths in order to be the ultimate sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin and to overthrow the works of the devil.

There are references to Him sensing God’s perfect timings throughout John’s Gospel: ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.’ ‘Now is the time for judgment on this world …’ ‘Jesus knew that the time had come …’  ‘Later, knowing that all was now completed … Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit’ (John 12:23,31; 13:1; 19:28,30).

As He died, Jesus knew that He had completed what He had come to earth to do. We, too, have particular tasks that God has for us to do (see Ephesians 2:10). I wonder whether you have ever experienced a sense of God’s timing in your own life?

Prayer: Lord, I give You my life afresh. Help me to hear and obey what You want me to do each day. Amen.