What is Christ's glory? First of all, it is His eternal majesty as God. John 17:5 says, "And now Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began." Everything the Psalms say about God can be applied to Jesus Christ. Where it says God is very great and clothed in splendor and majesty-that's also Jesus Christ's glory, splendor, majesty, beauty, power, and wisdom.
Jesus Christ's glory is His splendor as Savior and Redeemer. The worship described in the Book of Revelation focuses on Jesus as the Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the earth. Even in heaven the worship will be centered on the glory of Jesus Christ and His work on the cross as our Savior and Redeemer.
I can't wait to see His wounds. I have often thought that some day I will look at the wounds Jesus bore for me. I will look at the hands that were pierced, because He will still bear the marks. I'll look at the head that was crowned with thorns for me. I will see the face of the one who went to the cross for me. Won't that be wonderful to thank Him face to face and say, "Why would you do that for me?" We will adore Him for His glory as our Savior and Redeemer.
How is Christ's descent to earth part of His glory? Suppose a king was traveling in his carriage, surrounded by pomp, majesty, glory, and riches. This king is exceedingly handsome, wise, and successful in military victories. Multitudes of his subjects shout their praises and worship him along the way. But as he is carried along the road he sees a beggar covered with filth and caught in a huge cruel bear trap that is killing him. The beggar is torn with wounds and covered with his own filth.
If the king told one of his soldiers to go down and free the beggar and clean him up, people would praise the king for his kindness and compassion. But suppose that the beggar had rebelled against the king, and that for years every time the king went by the beggar threw mud and spit and cursed the king's name? What if the beggar was setting the trap to kill the king when he passed by, and would have done so but got caught himself?
Then what if the king takes off his royal robes, gets out of his carriage, wades down into the mud and the filth, and as the beggar is cursing him rips open the trap and sets him free. What if the trap snaps shut on the king and crushes him in filth and pain, anguish and death. Yet, somehow the king rises from the dead and comes out of the trap, takes this beggar, cleanses him, places a crown on his head, and puts one of his own robes on him. Then the king places his hands on the beggar's head, somehow transforming this beggar's rebellious heart to a heart of love that desires to serve the king. Any king that could do that deserves glory! What a king!
Who would go through all that for that beggar? We would say that king had glory, but in a sense, he acquired more glory because of his wonderful act of redemption. Jesus was infinite in glory from the beginning and could not have any glory added to Him. But in a sense He "acquired" more glory (or rather, displayed more glory) as Savior and Redeemer. What a glorious king!
Recommended Resources:
A Passion for the Glory of God is a worship conference designed for pastors, worship leaders, worship team members, sound teams, and anyone desiring to be equipped in the principles and practices of God-honoring worship. Bob Kauflin, director of worship development for Sovereign Grace, will host the conference. Other speakers will include Mark Altrogge and Steve Cook. The conference will be held on October 16th-18th, 2003 at Sovereign Grace Church, Gilbert, AZ. For more information click here.
Music Through the Eyes of Faith by Harold Best. This thought-provoking study of music-as-worship leads both students and experienced musicians to a better understanding of the connections between music making and Christian faith. According to Best, "Music is freely made, by faith, as an act of worship, in direct response to the overflowing grace of God in Jesus Christ." Visit the Sovereign Grace Store for more information.