Father, Glorify Your Name

In this passage we are given a glimpse of the inner struggle experienced by our Lord as he faced the event of his crucifixion. From the vantage point of Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, we may be tempted to think that Jesus, the perfectly obedient Son of God, was impervious to the suffering that the Cross entailed. (What did he have to worry about since he was going rise from the dead?) Nothing could be further from the reality. He knew only too well the horror of what was before him.
As the sinless, spotless Lamb of God, the prospect of having the iniquity of us all laid on him (such that he would become sin for our sake) filled him with dread. We ought not to presume on Jesus’ obedience but recognise that he learned obedience through the things he suffered. His resolve to see it through and bring glory to his Father’s name is all the more stunning for the struggle he endured. He did for us what we would not and could not do: render heartfelt obedience to the Father. And that loving submission to His Father, where His Father’s glory was more important than his own safety and well being, is what secures our salvation and sets our faith on solid ground. In view of all this, it is clear that if we are to know the Father, we must let go of seeking the glory that comes from man and seek only the glory that comes from God and we must believe in Jesus as the Son of God sent by the Father.