Wow, it's Day 22 of our Advent journey already!! Thanks for being here with me!
Our Bible reading today is John 17: 1 - 5 ...
Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said: Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son so that the Son may glorify You, for You gave Him authority over all flesh; so He may give eternal life to all You have given Him. This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only God, and the One You have sent — Jesus Christ. I have glorified You on the earth by completing the work You gave Me to do. Now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with that glory I had with You before the world existed."
If we see God's glory in the life of Jesus Christ (as I shared about in yesterday's post), how much more do we see it in His death??!!
David Guzik explains it so well: "In its counter-intuitive work, the cross glorified Jesus the Son and displayed the wisdom and the power of God (1 Corinthians 1: 23 - 25). Yet it also glorified God the Father, by displaying His wise plan and great sacrifice in giving the Son to do such a work." (enduringword.com) The whole ministry of Jesus on this earth led up to this moment. With the cross in full view before Him, Jesus prays that the Father will glorify Him. The cross - and the resurrection after it - was the means of true glory.
"Thank you for the cross, Lord Thank you for the price You paid Bearing all my sin and shame In love You came And gave amazing grace Thank you for this love, Lord Thank you for the nail pierced hands Washed me in Your cleansing flow Now all I know Your forgiveness and embrace Worthy is the Lamb Seated on the throne Crown You now with many crowns You reign victorious"
(Hillsong Worship)