Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”

John 12:23

It’s kind of a funny sentence. To be glorified, by definition, is “bringing fame or admiration.” So, essentially, Jesus is saying: “Let’s go make me famous.” Ha!

I don’t think that’s exactly how we should interpret this, but it does make me think about Jesus’ fame. He already had a large following, we know. Many had listened to him preach and watched him heal. He was famous, to a point, before he even marched into Jerusalem.

And then, his impending death was destined to make some waves and bolster his fame. In many ways, it seems like Jesus deliberately steered onto the most dangerous and threatening path, as if he knew the many ripples his death would send out into the world.

Let’s stop right there for a second. Do you think that would have been enough to make him a global sensation? A wise healer’s teachings, and a martyr’s death. If that’s all we had, would it be enough to change the world? Would we be able to celebrate Holy Week–without Easter?

It just might have been, even without the holy reversal of Easter. Here lies Jesus who lived and died, all for love. When you think about it like that, it makes it even more important that we not ignore Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. You can’t properly celebrate what you’ve won if you haven’t come face to face with what you’ve lost.

Then and only then, out of the jaws of death, comes the promise of Easter. The ultimate victory–all in the context of sacrificial love. The truth is, Jesus is famous for his life, his death, and his resurrection. Jesus was, and still is, glorified in all of these ways.

May this week find you in Christ’s grasp, so that next week you may go into the world…

and make Jesus EVEN MORE famous.

Have a great week,

Mitch