Appearing in Glory—Part 2

When [Judas] was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once (John 13:31-32). 

 
Sometimes when we read Scripture, certain verses don’t seem to fit. Sandwiched in between the revelation of Judas’ betrayal (John 13:21-30) and Peter’s denial (John 13:36-38), Jesus spoke five times of being glorified.

If one of our companions had just gone out to betray us, and another would soon deny he even knew us, we may have felt angry, rejected, offended—anything but glorified!

But Jesus looked beyond the present circumstances and saw Judas’ betrayal would lead to the crucifixion. God would be glorified as Jesus lay down his life in obedience to the Father’s will. Jesus’ glorious resurrection would mean the redemption of many.

Jesus also looked beyond Peter’s denial and saw that he would boldly face the same religious authorities he feared when Jesus was arrested. Peter’s spirit-empowered preaching on Pentecost motivated thousands to believe in Christ, and Peter’s letters still speak to us today. 

Jesus looked even further—to the end of time when He will again appear on the earth. Every eye will see Him as He comes in glory. Glory, the English translation of the Greek word doxa, is defined as “splendor, brightness; magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, grace; majesty.”

The Apostle John in Revelation 19:11-16 described Jesus’ glorious appearing: “riding a white horse. . . eyes like blazing fire . . . on his head many crowns. . . a robe dipped in blood. . .armies of heaven following him. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword and on his robe and on his thigh he has this name: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” 

We who live between the times—between the First and Second Coming of Christ—need to look beyond our present circumstances toward the glory that lies ahead. Just as Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection fulfilled thousands of prophecies, be assured that his glorious Second Coming will fulfill thousands more!

DIG DEEPER:

• Read Acts 1:9-11. How does the angel describe the First and Second Coming of Christ? See also Matthew 24:30 and Mark 13:26.

• Read 1 Peter 1:13. What does Peter tell us to do to prepare for the revelation of Jesus? Does that refer only to the Second Coming or could it refer to Jesus being revealed in your life today?

• According to John 14:13-14 and John 16:12-15 how do Jesus and the Holy Spirit bring glory to God’s name now?  What is our part in bringing glory to God?

 Nancy J. Baker

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