“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. 28 Father, glorify Your name.”Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” 29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.” 30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die. 34 The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.” John 12:27-36 NKJV
Glorious Father,
To put this passage in context it comes after certain Greeks, who had come up to worship at the Jewish Feast, asked Philip if they could meet Jesus. I love the way John says it happened. ‘Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus..’ (John 12:22). John’s gospel changes focus because Jesus audience has widened from just Jews to the gentile world. And then John says Jesus foretells his death. The death that would open the way to all nations. And me.
It is reassuring to see that Jesus had a troubled soul at this time. Knowing his hour was coming. In his humanity he was troubled, so he can understand how we feel in trauma and stress. And he totally depended on You. The voice from heaven must have encouraged him and yet he says it was not for him? Many heard it as thunder or an angel. Those who did hear, they could never deny what they heard. And then Jesus departed unseen.
Sometimes it feels like You have departed but You have not, it is just my human doubts and feelings. You are still with me, and in me, but helping me to grow and walk and trust. And I cannot deny what I have heard. What You have spoken to me through Your Word and those awesome moments when You seem to speak right into my life. Help us in times of doubt, if our minds are troubled and help us to hear You.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 14th November 2026
This song held great meaning for Matt, but he was astonished when the verses he sung grew even more poignant the day he had his son. Suddenly, Matt held an infant in his hands who was helpless, and needy. He recalls the verse “every hour, I need you” as he fed his child, changed his diapers, and cared for him constantly. He pondered what needing God really means. What would it be like to put into perspective, the desperate neediness we have for our Creator, as if it’s just like how a newborn needs their parent?
Lord I come, I confess
Bowing here, I find my rest
Without You, I fall apart
You’re the one that guides my heart
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour, I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
Chorus
So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand, I’ll fall on You
Jesus, You’re my hope and stay
Chorus
Lyrics: Matt Maher / Daniel Carson / Jesse Reeves / Kristian Paul Stanfill / Christy L. Nockels