On Good Friday, His hour had come. I’ve been refreshed spiritually through reading the Gospel of John this week. Once again, those phrases, “His hour,” jumped off the page. I’m struck by the truths that this one phrase presses into our soul.

First, Jesus knew what He came for; He knew why He was to die. And so, He knew what would come when that hour came. This was no surprise; the Lamb of God went willingly to the slaughter and took our place on the tree. His face was set like a rock that would not be turned aside.

Second, God the Father, Son and Spirit knew that the hour of suffering was needed in order for the hour of glory to follow. As the hour came, Jesus said, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified” (John 17:1). So often, the time of tears must come before the time of triumph. I’m reminded of how we are, as a culture, brought into a time of trial this Good Friday, and I’m left to trust Him Who knows all of our hours. I trust the God; He knows what He is doing.

Third, we all have an hour that will come. Jesus encouraged His earthly step-brothers to consider the fact that although His hour had not come, their hour was always ready (John 7:6). We all should be ready to meet our Lord as Judge.

This Friday reminds us how Jesus bore the wrath of the Godhead that was due us in order that we might have eternal life. Please spend time meditating on His suffering today because of your sin. Please spend time thanking Him for this great gift. His hour has come – now glorify Him for submitting to that hour.

“Now it was the day of preparation for the Passover; it was about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, ‘Behold, your King!’ So they cried out, ‘Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!’ Pilate said to them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar.’ So he then handed Him over to them to be crucified” (John 19:14-16).

His Hour – John 2:4; 5:28; 7:6, 30; 8:20; 12:23; 13:1; 16:4; 17:1