Friday, December 19, 2008

Glory ...

"How can you believe when you accept glory from one another
and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God?"
(John 5:44)
The word glory has various meanings such as:
  • "fame, admiration, and honor that is given to somebody who does something important";
  • "praise and thanksgiving offered as an act of worship to a deity";
  • "majesty or splendor";
  • "beauty that inspires feelings".

In the number of times I have read the gospel of John I am convinced that John sees Jesus as in the glory of God most while he is dying on the cross. Here are just three reasons from John that help me to see it this way.

When John first sees Jesus he says, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!" (John 1:29, see also v. 36). Lambs were a customary sacrifice that the people of Israel gave for their sins.

Jesus keeps speaking about his "hour". If you are curious here go to http://bible.oremus.org/. When it comes up look for "enter a word or phrase to search for..." and type in hour and look under John. And you will find that many of the uses of that word point to the hour of Jesus' crucifixion.

And while on the cross Jesus says, "It is finished!" (John 19:30) That is, there he completed the work of God given to him.

Jesus' glory moment was in his sacrifice. Such is pointed to in Christmas as well for there the everlasting Son of God took on human form and lived his life demonstrating that the glorification of God as being a servant to God and humanity.

How is God calling us to be servants today?

You are invited to be our guest in the
Celebration of Jesus’ Birth
at 11:00 PM.

Arlington United Methodist Church
1360 Murfreesboro Road
Nashville, TN

(Between Briley Parkway and the airport runway over Murfreesboro Road)

arlingtonum.org
(615) 361-4896

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