John 12:27-29 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I to this hour.… I. THE UNIQUE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE LANGUAGE. 1. The nature of the hour — the time appointed for the vindication of the Divine government outraged by man, and for the manifestation of Divine love. The world had been spared for this hour. 2. The mysterious agitation with which it was approached. This was natural. Who has not spent anxious days and sleepless nights over an unfinished work, and who does not know the tension as the hour for its completion arrives. 3. The grand consideration which induced Christ to meet this hour — the fact that all the past was summed up in it to the glory of God, and that the glory of God would stream from it. II. ITS APPLICATION TO US. 1. There is an hour in the life of every man, Christian, Church, for which every previous hour is a designed preparation. 2. Seasons of special service and sacrifice have actually occurred in the history of the Church — Israel on the confines of the promised land; the Reformation; the mission of Wesley; the great missionary movement. 3. Such times of effort should be expected, prayed for, ascertained. 4. The due apprehension of our hour would invest us with a consecrating sense of opportunity. 5. On our discharge of impending responsibilities may be suspended consequences of unknown magnitude. 6. Is not the urgency of the hour now greater than ever? (J. Harris, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. |
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