Leadership Has Its Trials and Challenges and Conflicts and Choices and We See That So Clearly Here

Circumstances have altered drastically. The situationJesus Christ went.
has changed radically. The hour had come. God's clockThere are times when we cannot escape this type
is important. God's timing is vital. It was nearing theof thing either. Such an inner conflict is not necessarily
end of Jesus' life and this coming hour was toa sinful thing.
become the pivotal point of all human affairs.The best thing to do when you are in this type of
It is good to be sufficiently sensitive to God to knowtrouble is say "Father", and yet it appears as though
that God's Hour has come for you to do his will.Jesus is being tempted to say, "I am willing to do
Gone are the parables and gone are the lovelyanything but this".
stories.What is going to be the deciding factor in certain
It is time for the final challenge.situations?
It is never enough just to see Jesus, or even toIs it going to be my ease and my comfort and my
have Jesus among you. It has to be more than justsafety and my happiness, or His Glory? Here is
wanting to see Jesus. We have to want to servepowerful leadership. Being a leader has its trials and
him and want to obey him more than you want toconflicts.
do anything else in the whole world. Do read the textAmidst all the greed and corruption and selfishness
in John Chapter 12 in the New Testament andaround us in these days we so require such powerful
understand the significance of what is happening hereand positive and dynamic leadership.
and of what is being said and taught.Jesus Christ comes to that point where He says,
Some people say, "If only I could hear God's voice. If"Father, I am willing to do what is Your Will, so that
only I could see this person, Jesus Christ." That wouldyour name may be gloried. Father, glorify your name."
not make the situation any easier.And God replied in answer the prayer of His beloved
The devil saw Jesus but that did not do him anySon. "I have glorified it and will glorify it again."
good.Some thought it thundered. Some thought it was an
Through these verses Jesus is saying to us. Do notangel.
just want to see me and have me around, but wantWhen God speaks at time to rebuke unbelief it can
to follow me and go where I want you to go, andsound like thunder in your heart and soul. It can be
want to serve me and obey me and stay with me.frightening.
Abide with me. Remain with me.He has almost spoken things that are true. People
In verse 26, Jesus says to these men who hadfeel that. Avoid having to hear the voice of God
come with a plea or prayer, "I am not coming withcoming to you like thunder. Others hear the voice
you, but you can come with me and follow me andand thought it was an angel speaking to Jesus.
serve me. And, if any man follows me, my Father willJesus makes it very clear. It is My Father who is
honour him".speaking, not for my benefit but for yours.
There come times when some requests have to beGod speaks and to some it is like frightening thunder,
renounced and when some invitations have to beand they may wish there had been no sound and
declined, and in the Name of Jesus Christ a disciplethat they had not heard the voice of God.
has to learn to say "No" and to know when to sayGod speaks too, and some may think he is speaking
"No and mean "No" and when to say "Yes" and meanto someone else. God speaks and Jesus has to make
"Yes".it clear. This is to benefit you. This is to minister to
Jesus realised fully that death is only a few daysyou. This is to guide you. This is to reassure you. This
away. He almost shrinks from it here. He was a realis for your ears and your heart and your life.
man, fully human, and we are being given a glimpseWhat reassurance we have from the Scriptures as
of something of the mental agony through whichwe read the Word of God.