Text: John 12:2032

Topic: How to deal with the places of weakness in our lives

• Jesus is enjoying the most exhilarating moment of his life, when he is tempted to live in the glory of the Greeks.
• The cross begins here in his struggle with personal ambition and human vulnerability.

• John 12:24
• Commit the Word to heart and will return to us in the hour of temptation.

• John 12:27
• Illustration: C. S. Lewis "Talk to me about the truth of religion and I'll listen gladly. Talk to me about the duty of religion and I will listen submissively. But don't come talking to me about the consolation of religion or I'll suspect that you don't really understand."
• Illustration: Imagine the temptation to be included in any anthology of Greek thought along with the names of Plato, Socrates, Pythagoras, and so on.

When we are most vulnerable God sometimes speaks.

• John 12:28
• When our faith is weakest God comes with a thundering voice of confirmation.
• Illustration: In the book, The Dark Night of the Soul, by St. John of the Cross, there are many examples of saints tested by the silence of God.

When we are vulnerable we must be willing to let go of our lives.

• John 12:30—33
• Illustration: McKenna describes his point of vulnerability as his family.

Conclusion

• We can thank God for his testing because we know he calls us to be born to die.