When you think about moments of glory I wonder if Jesus’ ignominious
death on a cross is the first thing that comes to mind? There is nothing more
glorious than the Cross of Christ!
To meditate/pray upon
John 17:1 ‘After Jesus said
this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify
your Son, that your Son may glorify you’.
Romans 1:4 ‘And who through the Spirit of
holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the
dead: Jesus Christ our Lord’.
1 Corinthians 1:22-24 ‘Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we
preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but
to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and
the wisdom of God’.
‘What is striking about John's
presentation is that, although his glory was manifested powerfully in his
miracles or 'signs',' it was above all to be seen in his present weakness, in
the self-humiliation of his incarnation… The glory which radiates from the
cross is that same combination of divine qualities which God revealed to Moses
as mercy and justice, and which we have seen in the Word made flesh as 'grace
and truth'… For in the cross of Christ, as in a splendid theatre, the
incomparable goodness of God is set before the whole world. The glory of God
shines, indeed, in all creatures on high and below, but never more brightly
than in the cross.... If it be objected that nothing could be less glorious
than Christ's death... I reply that in that death we see a boundless glory
which is concealed from the ungodly.’ (John Stott, Cross of Christ, page 206)
How does the cross
bring glory to both the Father and the Son?
·
The
Son’s perfect obedience in death shows the perfection of the Son and the worth
of the father.
·
The
cross demonstrates God’s holiness and perfect hatred of sin.
·
Jesus’
humility in such an unjust death brings Him glory.
·
The
cross demonstrates God’s love and mercy toward sinners.
·
His
resurrection, speaks of Jesus’ victory and that He was telling the truth.
·
Jesus
ascension into heaven, to the right hand of God speaks of His honour and
victory.
·
The salvation
of multitudes (who will worship God) and the restoration of creation, are all
contained in the glorious cross!
Jesus went to the
cross so that God would be glorified. The cross has made it possible for
multitudes, like you and me, to be reconciled to God and have a new heart that
desires to bring God worship and glory. There is glory in many things: a
sporting victory, a personal goal that one achieves, architectural or
engineering feats, great inventions that solve important problems… but only the
cross contains the seeds of the restoration of the universe!
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