One of the most beautiful words within the Christian context is the word glory. Some may be partial to words like eternity, heaven, and the idea of future perfection, but as one plucks fruit from the tree of glory, eternity, heaven and perfection are realized. The word glory inspires thoughts of future perfection, the tranquility of heaven and the resolution of our earthly struggle which leads to completion. If one is glorified, he is said to have finished well. The glorified one is clothed magnificently. He is adorned in joy and excellently arrayed in splendor. The apostle prophetically asserts, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us”. To develop this thought, there is no indigestible injustice, no incurred indignity, no satanic indecency nor malicious human indifference which should inspire hopelessness from the soul whose heart is fixed on future glory.
In light of the reality of future glory, Jesus’ words in John 13:31 require our attention. His words are spoken in the shadow of the pending betrayal by Judas Iscariot. Verse 30 informs us that after Judas received the morsel of bread, he went out to set the wheel of betrayal into motion. Upon his departure Jesus says, “Now is the Son of Man glorified…..” Be mindful that our Lord is fully aware of what is about to unfold. He is aware that the betrayer has gone out to cause Him to be arrested, beaten, spit upon, mocked, lied on, forsaken, caused to carry a unaccommodating plank of wood on His ripped back through streets lined by onlookers of indifference and ultimately be nailed to that wooden plank and die while experiencing the wrath of almighty God, crying, “My God, My God why have you forsaken me”. Yet, “Now is the Son of Man glorified”. How are we to interpret this? Simply, the beautiful road which leads to glory is not a walk in the park. The writer of Hebrews interpreted Jesus’ walk thusly, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame….”
Jesus interpreted the present pain as a road which led to glory, therefore, no road, no glory. But as He embraced that harsh and painful path, He was glorified. May it be so with us. May the present suffering of the Christian not prompt him to give-in, or inspire her to give-up. May life’s struggles, as a result of a focus on Christ, remind us that glory is right around the corner. Through each lash of this reckless and predictable world’s agenda, glory rushes toward us with a velocity unparalleled. Bring on the glory!
2 Responses to “Glorification Through Humiliation (John 13:31-35)”
Jesus dealt with it unlike any human ever has, but do you think that the pain and suffering he experienced late in his life here on Earth was meant to mimic the life of every Christian and provide us an example of how we should deal with such hardships in life?
Broc,
When you say, “was meant to mimic the life of every Christian and provide an example….”, I think that His suffering may be applied by us. In other words, we can gain strength from watching His courage and focus, but I don’t think the pain laid upon Him was primarily for our walk. I believe it was primarily for our salvation. In Isaiah 53:4-5, it is written, “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God. But He was wounded for our transgression; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed.” What He went through was payment for our sins. Such should inspire us (Christians) love Him more and more. Good question Broc.