From The Desk of:

The Troubled Soul of Jesus: A Path from Despair to Hope

 In moments of deep distress and turmoil, it's comforting to remember that even Jesus experienced anguish as He faced His purpose. In John 12:27-29, we see Him express this turmoil: "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose, I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name." In these verses, Jesus acknowledges His troubled soul, reflecting on the immense suffering ahead.

 The agony of impending separation from the Father weighed heavily on Him. Jesus not only endured the physical pain He would endure but also the existential separation from God due to Him bearing our sins. He fully understood the implications of His actions. He knew that through His death, He would take on the sins of humanity, ultimately leading to salvation and reconciliation with God (2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13).

 Hebrews 12:2 offers insight into how we can navigate our trials: "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Jesus endured the cross by embracing the joy before Him and at the end of His journey, reminding us that hope remains even in our darkest times.

Reflecting on the situation, we can relate to feeling troubled by life's circumstances. Perhaps, like my relative who feels unappreciated after family gatherings, we too may feel overwhelmed by our sacrifices. Yet, the intention behind our actions can bring us joy. Jesus had no excuses for avoiding His mission; instead, He embraced it for the sake of humanity.

The Father responds to Jesus's plea, saying, "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again" (John 12:28-29). This affirmation serves as a reminder that God's glory is tied to Jesus's mission. Each act of love and sacrifice can echo this divine purpose—reflecting God's glory through our actions.

 In these verses, we see the culmination of Jesus's earthly life—His willingness to bear pain for the sake of love. The voice from heaven, which some perceived as thunder and others thought to be an angel, serves as a divine confirmation of Jesus's path (John 12:29). It exemplifies that God's voice is present in our trials, encouraging us and affirming our purpose.

Let us draw strength from Jesus's example. We may encounter despair, but by shifting our focus to the joy ahead and committing to our purpose, we can move from troubled souls to lives filled with hope and purpose. God is glorified in our struggles when we endure with faith, just as He was through Jesus. Let us embrace our journeys, trusting that we can bring glory to God amid our challenges. Amen.                                                       Courtney Henderson