Live to Love Scripture Encouragement

John 12:30 Jesus answered and said, "This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sakes."
Was it thunder or the voice of an angel that was heard? Jesus clearly stated what was heard: the voice of God. And He declared that God spoke for the sake of everyone who heard and not for His sake. He didn’t need encouragement. He was resolute. He came to suffer for the glory of God and was confident God would honor His service. The voice of God responding to Jesus’ cry for God to glorify His name was for those who have ears to hear—both then and ever since. Are you consciously, intentionally, sacrificially living for the glory of God? It is the testimony that Jesus has been glorified in you.

John 12:29 So the crowd of people who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, "An angel has spoken to Him."
Some said they heard thunder, and others said they heard an angel speaking to Him. Probably those who were planning His death tried to explain it away by saying it was thunder—a natural occurrence. In contrast, those who were inclined to believe said they heard a distinguishable voice. The same thing happens. We can expect unbelievers to look for natural explanations for the supernatural testimonies of God. Those in whom God is working are looking for and expecting God to speak and testify to His presence. Have you considered that as you live to love with Jesus that you are a supernatural testimony—the voice of God per se—saying that He has and will glorify His name through the resurrected Jesus in you?

John 12:28 Father, glorify Your name." Then a voice came out of heaven: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again."
What was the purpose for which Jesus came to His hour of suffering? He was consumed with glorifying His Father and making His name great. He cried out, “Father, glorify Your name.” Implied is, “Glorify Your name in My hour of suffering. Look how quickly the Father testified to those around Him. “Then a voice came out of heaven: ‘I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.’"
It seems the context implies that the Father glorified His name in the resurrection of Lazarus and will do it again more powerfully in resurrecting Jesus to ultimately testify that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. We can count on the same promise that God will bear fruit “beyond our imaginations” if we serve Jesus with the same resolve and faith—the hope of His glory.

John 12:27 "Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour?' But for this purpose I came to this hour.
Jesus’ death was in view, the divine grain of wheat must die. He knew the time was upon Him. Even in that moment, He contemplated the impact on those He loved— they too will serve Him by laying down their lives. To follow Him, they will have to despise the natural lust to be honored by men in this world. As He pondered His upcoming suffering, apparently the thought entered His mind that He might ask His Father to deliver Him from it. But No! He came to this hour for the purpose of suffering death in service to His Father and bear much fruit. He would serve His Father. He would follow Him. He would be where His Father is. He would do it to be honored by the Father with abundant fruitfulness. The question for us is this: Will we follow and serve Jesus by laying down our lives with His resolve?

John 12:26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
Three truths about the one who serves Jesus. 1). He must follow His lead in all things. 2). He will be present where Jesus is present. 3). He will be honored by the Father. Imagine. The One who deserves all the honor, honors those who deserve no honor. When you live to love with Jesus, you are serving Him. Don’t expect to be honored in this life—that is to love your life in this world. Expect to be honored with Him for eternity. You will be where He is!