Prayer Warrior

Just before Passover, the colorful crowds of people with their animals began to gather in Jerusalem, filling the narrow streets. Near the temple, the aroma of street vendors selling breads and pastries and fruit combined with the smell of the day’s sacrifices. Expectancy was in the air as the great feast day drew closer.

Under the beautiful, cloudless sky of early Nissan (April or May), peddlers, artisans and faithful worshippers; proselytes, soldiers and curious bystanders; priests, pagans and tax collectors flooded the streets to enjoy the festivities. The carnival atmosphere of Passover week was electric. Parents kept their children close as the crowds swelled.

As the day wore on, the noise in the streets rose steadily till a man could hardly discern his own thoughts. In the midst of all the bustling activity, Jesus spoke intently to His dearest friends, knowing His departure from this world was fast approaching.

He lamented, “I am grieved in the depths of my soul!”

Then, He considered His quandary again. In all His humanity, Jesus expressed His agony. “Shall I say, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But, for this hour I came.”

Knowing full-well His life’s mission, He wrestled with His destiny and finally stated His heart-felt conviction, “Father, glorify Your name!”

Above the noise and activity of the scene below, a thunderous voice from Heaven boomed. “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”

Above the dull roar of the crowds, everyone heard the phenomenal voice, but few actually understood its importance. “Was that thunder on a day like this?” one of the bystanders asked his friend.

“It sounded like thunder. What else would it be?” The friend quipped as they continued on their way.

One of the worshippers  who was trying to see Jesus asserted, “I think the angels must be talking with Him.”

Jesus spoke definitively to His disciples nearest Him who had heard the voice, “This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sakes.” Then, Jesus continued to discuss His mission and answer the questions of the bystanders.

This Story

You can read this story in John 12:27-30. It occurred on Passover week shortly after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the day before His brutal torture and execution. Two things are interesting. First, it’s curious that such a loud voice from Heaven was interpreted by three different groups of people in three unique ways.  This story poignantly demonstrates that the position of your heart determines what you hear from God.  Second, it’s amazing the even in His distress, Jesus didn’t need the audible encouragement from God.

Can You Hear Me?

Three groups hear, and three interpretations of the event are recorded. The first group was willing to chalk it up as a natural occurrence. Thunder booming may have been out of place on a cloudless day, but it is a natural event that is not beyond the realm of possibility. They didn’t even entertain the prospect of a supernatural event taking place. Even though God spoke  directly in a loud and audible voice, they couldn’t hear Him.

The second group probably came to town truly seeking God. These were looking for a sign. They were more than willing to accept the voice as a supernatural event. However, they had to guess what the event might be, for the words were unclear. Even though they recognized the event as having a supernatural origin, they couldn’t discern its true meaning.

Finally, some heard the voice of God speaking discernable words.  These recognized God’s voice and made sense of the message He delivered.

Hidden For You

The thunderous voice could have been accompanied by magnificent lightening to draw attention. God could have darkened the sky and shined a spotlight from Heaven. He could have sent a dramatic wind to deaden the noise of the crowds. Then, everyone would have understood the words He spoke. But, He didn’t.

God could showcase His awesome power in undeniable displays. Then, all would be forced to recognize Him as God. It seems like that would make life a whole lot simpler. Often, I feel like we just need God to show up with power.

But, God doesn’t usually work that way. “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong (1Cor. 1:27).” In the same way, Jesus chose to teach in parables, because the Kingdom mysteries belong to His children (Mt. 13:10-11). God protects His precious treasures from those who scorn (Mt. 7:6).

He has hidden treasures for us, but not from us. For, “it is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter (Prov. 25:2).”  From this verse we know that God wants us to look for the hidden answers. He promised, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart (Jer. 29:13).” From passages like this, we know that God wants to show us the answers. Perhaps if He gave us the demonstrations on demand, we wouldn’t prize them so highly.

Because God chooses to shroud Himself in mystery, we must earnestly seek Him. If we want to hear His words distinctly, we must lean in close and watch for His movement. Otherwise, we’ll be caught off guard like those who assumed angels were speaking. Or, worse yet, we’ll write off the acts of God entirely and call them ordinary or natural. What is the position of our hearts? Can we hear Him?

But, Jesus

Arrest, humiliation, torture and death awaited Jesus, and He knew His time was short. His closest friends would scatter. Those who should have recognized Him were actually the ones to convict, sentence and execute Him. In all His humanity, He dreaded what was coming, but His heart was intent on pleasing God.

He was so intimate with the Father that His only desire was God’s complete glory, no matter what the cost. His heart was focused on God’s heart. He knew exactly what the Father was saying to Him. He heard God speak even before the words were audible.

We are called to imitate Jesus, and His intimacy with the Father is unparalleled. Is our single focus His glory? Are we looking for the audible voice, or are we leaning in to hear the Father’s heartbeat?

Where’s Your Heart?

Some heard thunder, others recognized it as angels speaking, and a few actually heard the distinct words of God Himself. The position of a human heart determines what a person hears from God. The heart intent on God (the one in intimate fellowship with the Father) hears the individual words He speaks.  The heart that doesn’t expect to hear from God is likely to attribute His display to natural causes.

If we had stood near Jesus that day, what would we have heard?  Would we have been part of the majority wondering why a single boom of  thunder echoed when no lightning or storm was in sight? Perhaps, we would have entertained the notion that something supernatural was in the works? Would we have guessed what the angels might be saying? Would we have heard the voice of God speaking distinctly?

If we had been in Jesus’ sandals that day, what would we have heard? If we faced certain death within a few days or weeks or if we faced the betrayal of a friend or the abandonment of a comrade, would we be able to say, “Father, glorify Your name?” If we knew the cup that we must drink and the destiny that awaited us, and if we wrestled with our own mission, could we lay down our desires for God’s ultimate victory?

Let’s take some time to consider our proximity to the Father. Think about our mission. Lean in close to hear the words He’s saying. Determine to diligently seek Him. As we take up our own cross, let His words be on our own lips, “Father, glorify Your name!” ♥