“The Glory Of Christ” (Part Two)

This week we are preparing for the celebration of Christmas by considering the glory of God. Yesterday we saw that glory rejected by men—and the glory of God depart from Israel.

For 600 years, Israel was lost of the glory of God. But, in the fullness of time, at the very first Christmas, God  sent His glory physically to the earth in the incarnate Christ! We see the theology of that in John 1:1-14…

The Glory of Eternality (vv.1-5)- These verse become so important because it makes it absolutely clear who Jesus is. He has the same character, attributes, and person as God- so he is God!

The key here is that of eternality. Jesus was alive forever with the Father, and has the same eternal glory as the father. This did not happen with a divine decree, it was the eternal reality!

The Glory of Mission (vv.9-13)- so why did he come? To rescue those who had rejected the glory of God! “As many as believed Him…”

The Glory of Christ (v.14)

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

When did this happen? When did they see and behold His glory?

• Transfiguration- “Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him.” (Luke 9:32). On the mount, the veil was pulled back, and the glory of God in Christ made plain! Impact on Peter? He never forgot it! 2 Peter 1 tells the tale.
• Crucifixion- “Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You.’” (John 17:1); The Lord of glory was crucified- the most horrific of all deaths- that He might be glorified and bring glory to the Father!
• Resurrection- “who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.” (1 Peter 1:21).
• Coming- “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory.” (Matt. 24: 30).

Christ came to restore the glory that had been lost because man had rejected the God of glory! And He will come again to establish His glorious rule upon the earth- praise His Name!

Tomorrow we will consider the glory we are to give to God in the meantime.