Jesus knows of his coming death on the Cross, and he’s anxious about it. This is mysterious, given that He is God, but the Church long ago defined that Jesus has a human soul, and a human will. He has to submit himself to that divine knowledge, and to the Father’s plan.
He prays that God the Father would glorify His Name. The Father speaks, and this will not be the last time that Jesus prays out loud for our sake, and not his own. He and the Father have had lots of silent conversations, and we can, too.
Jesus says that the time for judgment on the world has come. When St. John says “world,” we should understand that to be everything in the universe that is opposed to God. He’s not opposed to the creation itself. In 1 John, he names everything opposed to God as, “the world, the flesh, and the devil.” But this helps us understand, “For God so loved the world...” from John 3. He loves His enemies, and makes them into friends.
Jesus says that after his resurrection from the dead, he will draw all men to himself. There is something about celebrating the Cross and resurrection that “preaches” to people. Jesus will do it himself. So whenever we seek Him, we do it not only for ourselves, but all who are dear to us. And the Cross says that everyone is dear to Jesus.
The dying and rising part wasn’t something the questioners were ready for. It does seem like Jesus is more humiliated than we might expect the Messiah to be.
These last words will be the last chance to hear Jesus, and accept Him. He’s still preaching, right up to the end.
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