‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. The crowd answered him, ‘We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?’ Jesus said to them, ‘The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.’ After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them. John 12:27-36
The disciples are always trying to figure out why Jesus says something and how they are to respond to it. They are always misunderstanding and confused, not unlike all of us. We live in a Chrisitan nation, supposedly, but the most public figures see not to follow the Jesus of the Gospels. They call out for exclusion and war, disciplining the poor and hoarding wealth. Like a badge of honor, they flaunt their millions, while so many starve at their feet. Jesus was clear he was coming for all of us, his love was for all the people and not just wealthy winners. Jesus calls us to be children of the light, living as servant of love. May we never be afraid to serve the least and neediest of us all.
Gracious Creator, who sets a table for all people
gathers us all, loves us all, and makes us one family
we are blessed to walk in the light of your love.
There is too much darkness, O Lord, too much
so many homeless while the wealthy jet around
never seeing the obvious need in their dark hearts.
Make us children of your light so we might serve
help us gather those who have been left outside
and make a place for everyone at your loving table. Amen.
