“When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. 33“My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.” John 13.31-33
It’s a stressful time for Jesus. Judas has just left to betray him which must have been very upsetting and heartbreaking. Jesus, who is always the consummate teacher, begins to explain to his remaining followers what is happening. And this is what he talks about… glory.
Glory? First, Jesus tells us that the Son of man will be glorified (this is his reference to himself) during which God is glorified through the glory of Jesus. And, Jesus continues, if God is glorified in Jesus, then God will bring glorify to the Son in himself. And, this glorification will happen “at once.”
What is the meaning of glorification? What is the meaning of Jesus being glorified by the Father and the Father in turn by the son? How does one effect the other and this glorification (magnification,being made whole) even matter? Jesus is certainly referring to his suffer, death and ultimate resurrection upon the cross.
It’s like Jesus is speaking more to himself but reassuring his disciples along the way…. “I know things look bleak, Judas is betraying me, and Lord knows what will happen next! But don’t worry — I will be brought high to the place where I belong through this. And even in my suffering and death, because of my innocence and obedience to my Father, I will be raised as Christ and seated at his right hand.” (My words of course.)
It’s safe to say that Jesus’ life was lived to glorify God. And as Jesus gloriefed God, so God returns glory to Jesus. They are one. What benefits one, benefits the other. What hurts one, hurts the one. Jesus was preparing to leave this earth and so tells his disciples that he won’t be with them much longer. And, where he is going, they cannot come.
Jesus path to the cross is filled with so much emotion, purpose and love. This journey was done for God’s glory as well as our benefit. The passion of Christ impacts us all. Whether or not we chose to recognize the life sacrificed on our behalf. Let us give God praise today for the glorification of Christ and for the sacrifice he made to save us from our sins and from our selves.
“O Lord God, you are one with Jesus, one with the Spirit. You are so interconnected that what impacts one, impacts the others. The pain of Jesus was so great. Yet through his suffering you were glorified as the whole of creation was restored to a right relationship with you. Come now, Lord God, make your way among us. Help us walk in step with your Spirit and so bring glory to you in our own lives. I praise you Lord for saving me, for giving me grace, for loving me deeply. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen