John 12:28-30 Father, glorify your name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.… 1. One important aspect of Christian life is the imitation of Christ. But this is not necessarily doing the same things that Christ did, but involves the discovery of the principles by which His life was ruled, and the imitation of ways of expressing character after we have gained Christ's principles. 2. A man's ruling principle can best be discovered in his prayers, particularly in those which are forced on by sudden calamity or pressure. Then all the guards and formalities around a man are broken down, and the man reveals himself in his heart cry to God. The circumstances of the text present such an occasion, and that we may know what was our Lord's ruling principle, let us study this revealing prayer. I. THE PRAYER THAT EMBODIES THE PRINCIPLE OF THE NOBLE CHRISTLY LIFE. Observe — 1. The apprehension of God that is in it. The character of our prayer depends on the name we are able to use for God. Our Lord could only employ the richest and dearest — Father. This apprehension includes some apprehension of the mystery of life and suffering, and a comforting recognition of the Divine purpose. His is a fatherhood of many sons whom He is training for glory. 2. The attitude of soul it indicates. (1) Perfect trust in the goodness of all the Father's arrangements and doings. (2) Simple and unquestioning obedience. (3) Intense love making complete self-sacrifice possible. 3. What is involved in the petition — living out to the end such a perfect sonship that men, throughout the ages, thinking of the life of Jesus, should fill the name of Father with highest, tenderest, and holiest meanings. To live for self is ignoble; to live for God in His character of Father, the noble life indeed. II. THE DIVINE RESPONSE TO SUCH A PRAYER. 1. A side of tender comforting — "I have glorified it; that has been the meaning of all your life's toil and pain." This voice may be heard to cheer all true-hearted sons of God. Their life has not been lived in vain. 2. A sign of assurance for the future — "I will," etc. Therefore our Lord may calmly go on to new scenes of toil and suffering. (R. Tuck, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. |
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