John 12:27-34
Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from what lies ahead’? But that is the very reason why I came! Father, bring glory to your name.” Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought it glory, and I will do it again.” When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him. Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for your benefit, not mine. The time of judgment for the world has come, when the prince of this world will be cast out. And when I am lifted up on the cross, I will draw everyone to myself.” He said this to indicate how he was going to die. “Die?” asked the crowd.
I’m doing 60 mph (practically flyin’) in my ‘66 bug when I see it moving across the sky. At first I’m losing it, some “end-time” thing is going down. I can’t believe cars aren’t hangin’ “U-ies” right there on the highway and takin’ off in the other direction.
Man, am I the only one who can see it? The last few years had lots of rumors, end of the world stuff:
– 1970 Hal Lindsey’s Late Great Planet Earth;
– 1975 – More theologians (Zola Levitt and Josh Weldon) expose the sightings, “actual encounters” with extra-terrestrial beings in their book, UFOs: What in the World Is Happening? “People, there is an amazing connection” between the rising occult interest and the strange phenomena associated with “UFOs;”
– 1977 – Spielberg pitched in, too, with “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.”
It’s 1979, and I’m on top of my mustard-colored VW snappin’ evidence with my Kodak Instamatic. Passing cars persist toward an unobserved fate! Full of faith, I dare look on the darkened cigar shape. Light patterns emerge from the bottom, east to west and back, in larger and larger arcs; it hovers silently.
The invasion of hell’s power in the air comes closer; lights are beaming a message to earth! I begin to make out letters. One by one, they slowly reveal themselves. D-O-W-N-T-O-W-N. Right, cities would be struck first.
More letters, D-A-T-S-U-N. Dang! Yes, in 1979 Nissan was still Datsun. Advertizing on blimps is new. I’m utterly embarrassed, sitting atop my love bug.
Other worldly rumors are plentiful as the voice speaks from heaven. Some claimed thunder, others angels. The moment reeks of God, but it’s unclear. Jesus understands but says, “The voice was for your benefit, not mine. . .”
Jesus’ UP was close enough for clarity. I often have trouble with clarity. But somehow I find what Jesus said is true. The better I see Jesus at the cross, the clearer l hear what God is saying. Is heaven just sounding like a bunch of racket today? Consider your focus; look UP to Jesus on the cross.
Father, I sense presence. I know You are here. I want to hear Your voice. Jesus, draw me close. Amen.
Dialog discuss: It was nice to meet some of you. Katy, The Office