Now my soul is troubled and what shall I say? Father save me from this hour? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.
John 12:27
A crossroads is where you find yourself standing with the ability to take an alternate course. A choice is required. Do we choose to pursue a narrow way where the course before us is obscure and difficult or the wide, smooth and easy way? What shall we say, “Father save me from this hour or glorify your name?”
I often think about the moments of crisis in Jesus‘s earthly ministry where it is so natural for man to desire avoidance. The Bible tells us Jesus was a man of sorrow acquainted with grief, betrayal and rejection and in it all, continually set his face to pursue his father’s purpose.
Jesus said, Now my soul is troubled. At this crossroads that demands a choice, Jesus reminds us, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. We are encouraged to pray that we do not enter into temptation. A natural man would not choose this narrow path, but a dead man could. Jesus, tempted in all points yet without sin, shows us we too can walk this road in our hour but must first answer this same question. What shall I say, “Father save me from this hour or glorify your name?”
In John chapter 12 we find the beginning of the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry. He is preparing not only himself but the men to whom he has committed his life’s work. His hour, his crossroads stands before him. Facing the cross, understanding that a seed must die to bring forth life He chooses a narrow way that not only brought him life but provided the way for others.
First Peter chapter 2 tells us Jesus has been set as an example for us to follow. It’s a very high standard. He tells his disciples in chapter 16 of John, “I have said all these things to keep you from falling away......I have said these things to you that when your hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.”
These words were sufficient to hold them steady in their hour. His word remains sufficient to hold us and keep us from falling in our hour.
Everyone one of us lives to face our own hour. The question stands, What shall I say? Save me from this hour or Father, glorify your name?