What should your reaction be to Christ’s glory?
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| StJohnsAshfield StainedGlass Baptism (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
When we consider the glory of Christ, we must not think of it as something given to Him only after His ascension. His glory was not bestowed, but it was shared with the Father from all eternity. Jesus Himself said in John 17:5 that He longed to partake once again of the glory that He shared with the Father in the beginning.
But there is a sense in which that glory was manifested in a different way beginning with the incarnation. His glory was announced by the angels from heaven to the shepherds in the fields. The star of David shone in wondrous light to lead the wise men to the Son of God. The virgin who had been touched by the Holy Spirit gave birth to the King of kings in a lowly stable. Thus, the twofold dimension of Jesus’ life that reflected both His humiliation and His exaltation was manifested for all who would see.
The Messiah’s birth had been foretold and the New Adam, the author of glorified humanity, had been born. The glory that shone on the fields outside of Bethlehem to announce His arrival left the shepherds terrified. That is the reaction we have to Christ’s glory. It is incomprehensible, it is so magnificent we find ourselves dwarfed in comparison. Our reaction, rightly so, should be that of fear and of humility. But notice that the angels said, “Fear not.” We are not to be terrified by our Savior. While indeed, His glory is like the sun that you cannot look at directly, the warmth of His love embraces us. We can approach Him as our Lord and as our Savior. Moses, who desperately wanted to behold the glory of God was denied the fullness of that gift. But in Christ, we can behold the glory of God. In Christ, we can be partakers of that glory.
It is important to realize that though Christ’s glory was mostly hidden while He was on earth, even at His incarnation, it was not entirely concealed. People like Simeon and Anna saw the glory of Christ in the temple. They recognized the Messiah, the one who would save them from their bondage to sin. They recognized His glory because it had been revealed to them from God. The same has always been true. Those whose eyes are blind cannot see the glory of Christ. But those whom God has chosen will behold His glory and praise Him in the temple.
Read the first two chapters of Luke. How was the glory of Christ revealed to those in this account? What was their reaction? What should your reaction be to Christ’s glory? Spend some time in prayer today praising Christ for the incarnation, for His obedience, and for His glorious name.
