The Source of Glory
BIBLE VERSE TODAY….. “I do not receive glory from people.” John 5:41 ESV
I have always remembered the definition of “glory” that my spiritual mentored shared in a message almost 40 years ago. It was, “glory is the exhibition of excellence.” He was speaking from John 17 when Jesus said of His disciples in His priestly prayer, “they are my glory.”
Today we use the word “honor” more than glory. In the context of being a recipient of glory that Jesus refers to in John 5, it is pretty much the same as being honored by others today. A dictionary definition of “glory” is “high renown or honor won by notable achievements.”
I find an interesting identification with this concept. Serving in public office at times will come with some recognition of your achievements. I wasn’t sure early on if I would every receive one of those “Legislator of the Year Awards.” But in the course of time, I did receive several such recognitions from various groups. It is nice to have your achievements and who you are recognized and honored.
But these seven words of Jesus stand in sharp contrast to what most people would desire to experience. “I don not receive my glory from people.” Jesus had just told the Pharisees how, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” (John 5:39,40 ESV)
Of all the people who should have recognized Jesus’ achievements, His miracles, words and compassion, and give Him the honor that was due it should have been those who were the most spiritual. Those who knew that scriptures and desired to be right with God. But the lack of honor Jesus received from “people” did not define His value or deter Him from His call and mission.
Where did Jesus receive His glory? John opens his gospel with the words, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14 ESV)
Jesus as the eternal Son of God came from the “glory of heaven” to the dust of earth, but His the glory of who He was did not change. While on earth Jesus’ main focus was not the adulation of people, but obedience to the Father.
That is why He prayed, “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.” (John 17:4,5 ESV)
We see Peter reflecting on the transfiguration of Jesus and saying, “He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (2 Peter 1:17 NIV)
In like fashion we bring “glory” to Jesus by our lives of faithfulness and obedience. Paul told Timothy, “No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.” (2 Timothy 2:4 NIV) The faithful solider is not worried about being honored by the “enemy” or those who are civilians and are on the “outside looking in.” The faithful soldier is honored by his commanding officer for doing his job well.
It is normal to desire honor from others who take note of your accomplishments. There is nothing wrong with that. But as meaningful as that can be to our lives, how much more to one day hear the words of honor and recognition from Jesus that say, “well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:23) That’s the glory we can all receive from the Father.
Prayer for today…. Lord thank You for the challenge to our lives that we receive when we look at Your commitment to God the Father. Help us to desire to be honored by You more than to receive honor from others.