“Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! Father, bring glory to your name.” John 12:27
Lord Jesus, in a very unexpected way, the “deep trouble” you felt on Monday before “Good Friday” brings me profound comfort today. You surveyed the weightiness of your cross before we could survey its wonders. Of course you felt shocked, distressed, and trauma—long before Gethsemane.
Indeed, no surprises awaited you, just an overwhelming assignment—a plan you embraced before the world began (Eph.1:3-14). Within days, you would take the judgment and separation we deserve, to give us the grace and reconciliation we could never earn. It was for this “very reason” you came from eternity into time and space—not to be our model to follow, but our substitute to trust.
By your cross, you guaranteed the salvation of your impossible-to-count Bride (Rev. 7:9-12). Beloved by grace—redeemed from every nation, tribe, people, and language. Daughters and sons of mercy—as numerous as the stars in the sky, sand on beaches, and dust of the earth (Gen.12-17).
And gloriously so, your “bruised heel” (Gen. 3:15) crushed Satan’s evil head—securing his defeat, evil’s eradication, and death’s death. Jesus, I’m sure this is why I’m finding great peace today in your troubled heart. You came “to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8)—works that have been on full display in Nashville this past week.
Jesus, thank you for securing the Day of no more hurting and harming—anywhere, anytime (Isa. 11:9-10); no more burying 9-year-olds or one country invading another; no more automatic weapons, just automatic grace; no more abuse in any form, just beauty in every place (Eccl. 3:11). Thank you, hallelujah, and bring that Day soon, Jesus, very soon. So Very Amen.