And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. (John 12:27)

The Johannine Jesus knows his death is coming. He has spoken the truth to power – the result is inevitable. We have seen this pattern in recent times in such people as Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Martin Luther King Jr and Oscar Romero. In John’s Gospel there is constant reference to ‘the hour’, beginning at the wedding feast at Cana in Chapter 2. The hour is both when Jesus is crucified (‘lifted up’) and glorifies God. The Johannine Jesus, as he has throughout, has his eyes wide open about his journey: he does the work of the Father and is to glorify the Father.

In the realisation of what is coming for Jesus, there is a choice – stay the course or walk away. And so it is for all of us – am I a person of integrity? OR would I rather ignore my conscience and take the easy choice?

Have a great week!

Patrick