What does "the hour has come" signify in the context of Jesus' ministry? Tracking the Phrase: From “Not Yet” to “Now” - John 2:4: “Woman, why does this concern us? … My hour has not yet come.” - John 7:30; 8:20: attempts to arrest Jesus fail “because His hour had not yet come.” - John 12:23: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” - John 13:1: Jesus “knew that His hour had come to depart from this world to the Father.” - John 17:1: “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You.” - Mark 14:41 (Gethsemane): “Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.” The progression shows a divinely fixed timetable moving from delay (“not yet”) to arrival (“has come”). What “the Hour” Means in Jesus’ Ministry • The climactic moment when God’s redemptive plan converges on the cross and resurrection. • The point at which Jesus will be “glorified” (John 12:23), meaning His sacrificial death, victorious resurrection, and exaltation to the Father (Philippians 2:8-11). • The fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 53; Psalm 22) and Jesus’ own predictions (Mark 8:31; 10:45). • The decisive victory over sin, death, and Satan (Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14). • The transition from Jesus’ physical presence to the sending of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7). Layers of Fulfillment 1. Crucifixion—public display of divine love and justice (Romans 3:25-26). 2. Resurrection—validation of His messianic claims (Romans 1:4). 3. Ascension—enthronement at the Father’s right hand (Acts 2:33-36). 4. Pentecost—outpouring of the Spirit made possible by His completed work (Acts 2:1-4). Divine Timetable and Sovereignty - Repeated “not yet” statements underline that hostile forces cannot act until God permits (John 10:17-18). - Prophetic precision (Daniel 9:26; Galatians 4:4) highlights God’s absolute control over history. Why It Matters for Us Today • Assurance that salvation rests on a finished, perfectly timed work (John 19:30). • Confidence that God governs our seasons as surely as He ordered Christ’s hour (Psalm 31:15). • Motivation to live in the light of the cross and coming glory (Titus 2:11-13). |
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