Tuesday of Passion week was a very busy day for Jesus and His disciples.  In reading over the accounts from each of the four gospels, we see that The religious leaders of the day are pulling out all the stops to try and trip Jesus up, to shame Him, to belittle him.  Through it all, He answers their questions with ease and continues to teach and draw others to Himself.  It seems incredible to Mark and I that He could have the presence of mind to do so, knowing what He was about to face.  

John 12:23-29 illustrates that Jesus knows exactly what is to come and shows us all how to live, how to follow Him.  We read:

23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

In reading and rereading this passage one word comes to mind for us.  Love.

Love of Jesus for all of us in that He can be willing to die for us.  

Love in our response to the great love He shows us.  

And love and affirmation of God the Father for His Son that He answers Him audibly from the Heavens.  

Isn’t that such an encouragement for us all when we are going through difficult times?  Can’t you just picture God cheering us on?  “I see you, I understand, and I am with you?”  

As we dwell on this day of Jesus at the Mount of Olives, pray about these questions.  How do we serve Him? How do we follow Him?  Mark and I are praying right along with you.

-Kathy Faber