If we take a look at the example that Jesus set, it may encourage our faith for our own fate. As the time drew near for his arrest, of course He knew what was coming. Here are some things Jesus said as recorded by John in chapter 12:
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
(I love how Jesus referred to Himself as the "Son of man". It seemed He wanted to drive home the point that He was living in human flesh. He was wearing skin just like ours. He could feel what it was to be human. It was real. It was very down to earth.)
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
(In order to bear fruit, we must die to ourselves, our own selfish desires and our own wants. 'Tis a glory to die and to bring forth fruit for the kingdom of God!)
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
(This is a bit of a hard saying, because, as Christians, our lives are full of joy. But, at the same time, we are meant to hate this wonderful life. Why? Because the life that is to come is far superior! We know that instinctively in our heart of hearts. Don't we? Can't we feel that spiritually? This life is the sham, the imitation. This life is full of lies, temptations, scams, dead-ends and disappointments. The world to come is the one we look forward to. We will inherit eternal life!)
26 If any man/woman serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
(Ok, so, the bad news is that we are required to follow Jesus. Tough bid. But, on the other hand, the good news is that He has already gone before us to prepare the way and make it easier on us. We must bear our cross but we will have amazing grace to do so! And for that, we will be honoured. Even though Jesus does the work through us and He puts His Spirit within us to empower us, we will get the honour.)
27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
(Jesus's soul was troubled. The soul is that part of the spirit that is attached to the flesh. He felt that human grief, that agony of soul caused by sin, caused by separation from God. Without God, we are lost. It's a terrible feeling and I believe it's the source of panic. But, Jesus was required to feel that agony for our sakes. He's even wondering, "What shall I say? I can't ask You to save me from this because this is the reason I came to earth." His flesh is really struggling against it though.)
28 Father glorify thy name. (Jesus knew his life was for the glory of God. Our lives are for the same.) Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
(To some, it sounded indistinguishable, just a noise. To others, it was a voice with words.)
30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. (He was used to hearing his Father's voice.)
31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
(This is interesting. "Now shall the prince of this world (the Devil) be cast out", Jesus said. But, did it happen at that moment in time? It happened. It was done. But the manifestation of the action has not happened yet. We know that because it is prophesied to happen in the near future! Revelation 12:10b says, "the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night."
So, here we understand that the Devil has had the privilege of accusing us before God all these years. If we read the book of Job, we see how he asked permission to smite Job and test him over and over because he was so jealous of Job's relationship with God.
Now, the next verse in Revelation coincides with what Jesus is saying here. It also tells us that we need to die to ourselves.
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
We are not alone. Jesus is with us every step of the way. We will overcome! All we have to do is keep our eyes on Jesus! He has gone before us and we just need to follow Him.
WE WILL OVERCOME BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB!
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