Jn.12:28 – Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
The Lord spoke from heaven several times confirming the ministry of Jesus. It happened when Jesus was baptized by the prophet John, it happened again when Jesus was transfigured on the mountain, and it happened here when Jesus had been speaking to gentiles about His approaching death. The one thing all of these events have in common was the cross. When Jesus was baptized by John He was accepting His mission from the Father to die for our sin, at the transfiguration He was speaking to Elijah and Moses about His coming death, and in this passage He announces His death to seeking gentiles. Here is Augustine describes this voice from heaven.
“I have both glorified it,” before I created the world, “and I will glorify it again,” when he shall rise from the dead and ascend into heaven. It may also be otherwise understood. “I have both glorified it” could be understood to refer to when he was born of the Virgin; when he exercised miraculous powers; when the magi, guided by a star in the heavens, bowed in adoration before him; when he was recognized by believers filled with the Holy Spirit. It could further refer to when he was openly proclaimed by the descent of the Spirit in the form of a dove and pointed out by the voice that sounded from heaven; when he was transfigured on the mount; when he performed many miracles, cured and cleansed multitudes, fed so vast a number with a very few loaves, commanded the winds and the waves, and to when he raised the dead. “And I will glorify it again” could refer to when he would rise from the dead, when death would no longer have dominion over him. It can also refer to when he would be exalted over the heavens as God and to when his glory would extend over all the earth.”
Today the name of the Lord is being glorified in the whole earth. This takes place in the midst of a world that hates the gospel but every time the cross is preached the Lord will glorify His name by drawing people to Himself. This could be described as the most dangerous generation and the most glorious at the same time. The Lord is glorifying His Name in the whole world as multitudes are turning to Him.
