LifeLink Devotional
Friday, February 19, 2021

I cannot write. I cannot process. I cannot put into words what the Spirit of God is doing
in my heart as I attempt to write this devotional. I cannot think of stories or clever words
to captivate your attention. I am overwhelmed with the significance of the final words
of Jesus to the public before His death.

John 12:23, 31-32 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man
to be glorified… Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast
out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

Jesus, the Passover Lamb of God, is preparing to take away the sins of the world. His
human nature is troubled by what He is about to endure on our behalf, yet He
understands it was for this purpose that He left the glory of His place with the Father. He
knows the glory that will be revealed when the redemption of mankind is purchased by
His death. Jesus says “YES!” to death on our behalf.

In the death of Christ, Jesus judges sin and conquers the power of death. When He is
lifted up on the cross, we are drawn into the glory of forgiveness. The cross of Jesus
Christ is mankind’s only hope of salvation. The death of the perfect Son of God is the
singular source of eternal glory.

How hard it is to even see the keyboard through the tears of joy welling up in my eyes
and flowing down my cheeks. Jesus suffered my deserved death so that I might have
His undeserved life.

The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified in my life. The time is here for Jesus
Christ to be lifted up in my life above all other pursuits and ambitions. My soul is troubled
with the thoughts of the suffering that I might endure if I exalted Jesus above all other
human relationships and earthly gratifications, yet it is for this purpose that Jesus saved
me.

Jesus, judge the sin that lingers in my life. Cleanse me from the passions of this life. I give
myself wholly to your purpose. No longer will I lift up myself so that I may draw attention
to myself. Jesus, be lifted up in my life so that you may draw people to you. Jesus, be
glorified in me.

Pastor John