27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” — John 12:27-28a (ESV)
A historian might be tempted to label the crucifixion as just one more tragedy among the heap of historical tragedies. Senseless suffering. A miscarriage of justice. Another victim. And yet, contrary to appearances, the witness of the Scriptures is that the crucifixion of Jesus is not a tragedy — but rather God’s climactic move in his glorious rescue mission for sinners.
Jesus himself did not think lightly of the suffering that he was about to endure.
But the cross was still a place of horrendous suffering and evil. Jesus himself did not think lightly of the suffering that he was about to endure. So great was the pain and searing loss of the cross that when he considered the nearness of it, his soul was troubled, weary, and shaken. Luke says that in his weariness of soul “his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:44). Christ truly took on our humanity and sin. He was troubled by his suffering, because we are troubled in our sin. And he did so out of love, as Matthew Henry said: “the trouble of his soul was designed to ease the trouble of our souls.”
Jesus looked into the horrific jaws of the cross and saw the joy that would result from his suffering.
The reason for Jesus’ firm resolve was this love for sinners and the glory of his Father. “But for this purpose I have come to this hour.” He did not flee the cross. Rather, Jesus looked into the horrific jaws of the cross and saw the joy that would result from his suffering. It was for this joy that he endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2). He knew that “Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied” (Isaiah 53:11). This is no tragedy, but rather the very opposite.
In some ways, we are familiar with such a resolve to suffer. Consider the suffering of childbirth. At the “hour” of intense pain and suffering, the mother’s very purpose for her whole pregnancy is finally met. So also, Jesus looks at his upcoming suffering as the final necessary step to acquire what his soul desires most. Through the trouble of his soul, those his Father gave him would be saved from the trouble of their sin (John 6:37-40). And so “Although he dreaded death, he does not refuse it, because it is efficacious for our salvation” (Chrysostom).
Liturgy
LORD of our salvation,
We give thanks for Christ, our champion.Whose life was not taken from him, rather he willingly laid it down.Help us to know that the sin of our soul was the trouble of his soul.And by his troubled soul, our troubles are eased.That by his blood shed, our sins are paid for.And that in him we have abundant redemption.Let us remember that for the joy set before himChrist endured the suffering of the cross.And that this is now our reason for comfort.For Christ has guaranteed that all our troubles and suffering will be but for a moment, and then turned to joy.Help us to remember that whatever we sufferit is only for an hour, a short time compared to the hope Christ has secured for us.
We pray this for the glory of your name,
Amen.