Jesus suffered in the core of his being. He is the Prince of Life, but humbled himself for death to swallow him. He is Lord of Lords, but he let the devil, the ruler of death’s domain, try him with all his might. Jesus bore our sin willingly, to burn in our stead in the flames of God’s wrath. He is the Son, ever one with his Father from eternity. For our salvation, his Father left him, so that we might be united with him in grace. No one can fully realize the anguish and pain of the Son and Father. The Trinity’s unity was in pain for our redemption.
Christ’s body could not endure this crushing pressure. He cried, "Father, save me from this hour." Then he heard the Spirit’s response clearly in his heart, "You were born for this hour. This hour is the goal of eternity. All Creation with the Father await this moment, when mankind will be reconciled to God, the creation with the Creator. At this stage the plan of salvation will be fulfilled."
At that, Jesus cried out, "Father, glorify your name!" The Son would not heed the voice of the flesh. He prayed in harmony with the Holy Spirit, "Hallowed be your name. So that the world may know that you are not a terrifying God, distant and uncaring, but a loving Father, who gives Himself in the Son to save the wicked and the perishing."
God did not hesitate to answer His Son’s plead. He answered from heaven. "I have glorified my name in you. You are my obedient and humble Son. Whoever sees you, sees me. You are my beloved, in you I am well-pleased. I have no other joy except in you for bearing the cross. In your vicarious death, I shall reveal the essence of my glory in the midst of the storms of life’s tragedies. On the cross you proclaim the meaning of glory and true holiness. It is no less than love and sacrifice and the yielding of self to the undeserving and hard-hearted."
The heavenly voice continued resounding clearly, "I will again glorify my name, when you rise from the tomb and ascend to me, to sit with me in glory, pouring my Spirit on your loved ones. Then my fatherly Name will be magnified by the new birth of countless children through the Holy Spirit. Their existence honors me; their virtuous conduct sanctifies me. Your death on the cross is the reason for the birth of God’s children. Your intercession in glory will be the guarantee of the Church’s success. In you alone the Father is endlessly glorified."