October 27, 2020 -- John 12:28 -- The Father's Glory on Display!
/“Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”
John 12:28 English Standard Version
Jesus is now just a few hours away from His betrayal and death. He had entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, a sign of Kingship according to the prophecy of Zechariah. The people are expecting an earthly glory, a Kingdom that will overthrow Roman. They were not thinking in broad and large enough terms! The glory of the Father is such that He sent the Son to conquer sin, earthly kingdoms, rebellious hearts, tyrannical despots, unchain the creation from the effects of Adam and Eve’s sin and the sins of all subsequent generations, and defeat death, the grave and hell. That is the glory of the Father. How is this glory accomplished? The fullness of the glory of God is. From eternity to eternity God is great and glorious. In Jesus Christ the Father’s glory is revealed, manifested unto people. Here’s how.
The glory already given:
~the Prophets who declared the unmerited mercy of God in withholding death and punishment until the time of the Messiah
~the Kings who were supposed to rule as under shepherds of the LORD of Glory
~the Priests who by making sacrifices and praying for the people showed the coming Messiah would be the full and final sacrifice who takes away the sin of the world
~Jesus was born—fully human and fully God—His incarnation means that the glory of the LORD lives among the people of God
The glory the Father will bring in Jesus:
~the Prophet Who is God’s final word and the radiance of His glory; this is why the Bible is not still being written. It is a closed book—Jesus is the Final Word. He is the “Amen”.
~the King Whose reign will never end—Jesus is on the throne, Covid-19 is not unseating Him, wars and despots don’t thwart His purposes—He is bringing history to its full and final conclusion
~the Priest who offered His body in our place so that our sins are forgiven and He is praying for us at our Father’s right hand in heaven
~He was lifted up on the cross and as He was bearing the punishment for our sins, He prayed for the soldiers who were gambling for His clothes, He forgave the criminal crucified next to Him who’d been taunting Him and who suddenly, in view of Jesus’ glory and peace even on the cross then realized Jesus really is the glory of the Father—even His humiliation could not erase the traces of His great majesty.
~Now He is risen from the dead, ascended to the Father’s right hand—watch and see how much more Jesus will be glorified by the Father and make the Father’s Name and glory greater because of His dedicated love for and obedience to the Father’s will which ensures none of the people elect unto eternal life should be lost.
Spirit of the Living God, broaden our vision, increase our capacity to see the accomplished work of Jesus with the eyes of faith and an imagination that is being made holy and whole. Jesus, by the testimony of Your Spirit vivifying our hearts and the Bible teaching us by the Spirit’s power, let the weight of Your glory bring us to know our Father in heaven more dearly and truly. Triune God, as the fullness of Your presence, Your holiness, Your justice and righteousness are made know to us, enable our head and heart and hands praise You in every area of our lives. Great God of Eternal and Terrible Splendour all honour and power, dominion and praise are Yours now and forever—Amen.
