John 12:27-36 (NRSV)
Read John 12:27-36 on biblegateway.com
Verse 27"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. Verse 28Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." Verse 29The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Verse 30Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Verse 31Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. Verse 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." Verse 33He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. Verse 34The 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?" Verse 35Jesus 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. Verse 36While 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.
Devotion
Even Jesus was sometimes troubled, wishing he could avoid the suffering that lay before him. But he had the long view. He knew his mission and was willing to accept it. By his death and resurrection, he would be glorified and draw all people to himself so that they need no longer walk in darkness. They would become children of light who, like Jesus, can see where they are going.
Prayer
Jesus, light of the world, illumine our paths so we will not stumble. Lead us in the direction you would have us go. Amen.