History records many great and significant events, but none nearly so significant as the crucifixion of Christ on the cross of Calvary. Referring to the time, then still future, when this should take place, our Lord spoke again and again of βthe hour,β βthat hourβ and βMy hour,β and so does the sacred record.
When His enemies would have stoned Him at the Feast of Tabernacles, the record states merely: βthey sought to take Him: but no man laid hands on Him, because His hour had not yet comeβ (John 7:30). Finally, when that dread time did arrive, we read:
βAnd when the hour was come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Himβ (Luke 22:14).
βNow is My soul troubled; and what shall I say: Father save Me from this hour? But for this cause came I unto this end,β (John 12:27).
βNow before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had comeβ¦ having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the endβ (John 13:1).
Finally, in His great High-priestly prayer, uttered in the very shadow of the cross, He βlifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is comeβ¦β (John 17:1).
This is the hour to which many of the Old Testament sacrifices and prophecies had pointed forward. This is the hour to which the redeemed will look back with gratitude and praise for the ages to come. There would have been no salvation for sinners without it, nor any hope of a restored earth with the curse of sin removed. Thank God, because Christ was willing to face that dreadful hour βwe have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His graceβ (Eph. 1:7). source
