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. Father, glorify Your name. (John 12:27, ESV)
What comes to your mind when you hear the words hero’s journey? Do you think of Jack Nicklaus’ golf career with eighteen majors? Homer’s Odyssey? Maybe you know someone who has overcome serious challenges in life and the courage they have exhibited is nothing short of heroic. In the current cultural moment, it’s in fashion to discover one’s authentic self—this is latest and newly popularized expression of the hero’s journey.
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Jesus’ success is his Father’s glory.
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The Gospel of John is the story of Jesus’ journey through this life. But more than a hero’s journey, John declares Jesus the Messiah—the savior of the world (John 1:41 and 4:42). Jesus’ role as Messiah casts a long shadow over any of our heroic journeys to sports victories, military conquests, or discovering our authentic self. Even more, Jesus’ journey makes sense of our own path in life. Considering Jesus’ mission, we must set aside any self-aggrandizing narratives and consider a new way to live, a way that brings glory to God.
Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus yields uncompromisingly to his Father’s will as he moves selflessly toward the cross. Consider a few of these revelatory statements about his relationship with his Heavenly Father:
“Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does.” (John 15:19-20)
“The Father loves the Son and shows him all he does.” (John 5:20)
“Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word.” (John 8:55)
“…I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.” (John 5:30)
“ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:15)
“But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” (John 10:38)
“The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” (John 8:29)
Jesus is concerned with one thing and one thing only: honoring his Father whom he loves and who loves him. This primary relationship defines and directs the whole of Jesus’ life. His life is not a heroic journey or movement towards self-actualization. Everything Jesus does points to the goodness of God-the-Father and brings glory to Him alone.
Jesus’ life-strategy is in affront to our human nature and the values of this world. We often seek our own glory hoping to achieve society’s praises. Jesus, on the other hand, surrenders his life to the will of his Father testifying to God’s goodness and God’s sovereign plan. Jesus’ success is his Father’s glory.
The Westminster Catechism, written in 1646 by both English and Scottish theologians to unify the church, asks a series of questions that answer the big questions about God, Jesus, and the scriptures. The very first: What is the chief end of man? Answer: To glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. The Catechism’s answer summarizes the Christian’s aim as he or she journeys through this life. It is also personified perfectly in the life of Jesus Christ our example and our savior.
Prayer: Thy will not mine be done.