Humble Hero

Voice of God Heard

Then He yielded divine submission to His Father’s will. “For this purpose,” He said, “I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” Only through His death could Christ overthrow Satan’s kingdom, redeem humanity, and glorify God. Jesus accepted the sacrifice; He agreed to suffer as the Sin Bearer. A response came from the cloud that hovered above His head: “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” In the coming ordeal Christ’s divine-human sufferings would indeed glorify His Father’s name. HH 291.1

As the Voice was heard, a light encircled Christ, as if the arms of Infinite Power were thrown around Him like a wall of fire. No one dared to speak. All stood looking intently at Jesus. When the Father had finished giving His testimony, the cloud lifted and scattered in the heavens. HH 291.2

The inquiring Greeks saw the cloud, heard the Voice, understood its meaning, and recognized the truth about Christ. He was revealed to them as the One sent by God. The voice of God had spoken at Jesus’ baptism and again at His transfiguration. Now a larger number of people heard it on this third occasion. Jesus had just made His last appeal and pronounced the doom of the Jews. Now God again recognized the One whom Israel had rejected. “This voice did not come because of Me,” said Jesus, “but for your sake.” It was the signal from the Father that Jesus had spoken the truth and was the Son of God. HH 291.3

“‘Now is the judgment of this world,’” Christ continued, “‘now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.’ This He said, signifying by what death He would die.” If I become the atoning sacrifice for human sin, the world will be lighted up. Satan’s hold on men and women will be broken. The defaced image of God will be restored in humanity, and a family of believing saints will finally inherit the heavenly home. The Savior saw the cross, the cruel, shameful cross with all its attending horrors, blazing with glory. HH 291.4

But human redemption is not all that the cross accomplishes. The love of God is displayed to the universe. The accusations of Satan against heaven are forever answered. Angels as well as fallen human beings are drawn to the Redeemer. “I, if I am lifted up from the earth,” He said, “will draw all peoples to Myself.” HH 291.5

Many people were standing around Christ as He spoke these words. But “although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him.” He had given them countless signs, but they had closed their eyes and hardened their hearts. Now that the Father Himself had spoken and they could ask for no further sign, they still refused to believe. HH 291.6

“Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue.” To save themselves from condemnation and shame, they denied Christ and rejected the offer of eternal life. HH 291.7

How terrible for those who did not recognize the time of their opportunity! Slowly and regretfully Christ left the temple courts forever. HH 292.1