John 2:11
“What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.”
Glory is a concept that does not seem to enter into normal conversation in our world. Sometimes it comes up in a disparaging way as in, “he is just in it for the glory.” But even that is not all that common these days. Does anyone still “bask in glory”? The connotation of glory tends to be negative because we live in a competitive society. The idea of glory being attributed to someone as a good thing is not something we typically relate to.
In spite of this, the glory of God is something that transcends any human comparison. God’s glory is pure. His motives are pure. His justice is perfect. His power is beyond imagination.
Q: How do you think of “glory,” and how would you describe Jesus’ glory that was revealed through the signs he performed?
God’s glory is His Holiness. We glorify God whenever we allow His Holy Son Jesus Christ to act through us for the benefit of another.
God spoke everything seen and unseen into being. Jesus could have spoken and the empty jars would have been filled with the best wine. instead, before His appointed time, He chose to glorify His Father by responding to His mother’s comment (request), an action which has been recorded for our education.
Look at Christ directing servants to carry water in dirty wash bowls. Look at the servants acting in obedience, fill the jars, then take the liquid out to the guests to drink. Not once did they voice a complaint. Finally see the guest drink from the jars and praise the host for what they have received.
We are the obedient servants, unclean containers, delivering the living water, the transforming power of the word of God as we are directed to do.
Jesus recognized a need and chose to act through servants, then quietly left when the act was completed, allowing the host to receive the glory.
Ron has some great comments above. When I think of glory I think of making something known that was not known or magnifying something or someone so that they can be seen. This miracle which Jesus performed allowed His disciples to see truth about Jesus that they had not realized. It magnified their understanding of who Jesus is. I am still looking to know Jesus better. In this, He is still being magnified to me through His word and through the Holy Spirit. My greatest desire is that others see Him through me – or that He is glorified. A confession of faith once said, “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” May others see Jesus through His church today.
I started out today’s blog looking at the definition of the word “glory” and then moved into the translation from the Old and New Testaments. Webster’s dictionary defines “glory” as: praise, a distinguished quality, a state of exaltation, splendor, or a ring of light. All are fitting descriptions of the “glory” Christ revealed. Looking into the translations of the Old and New Testament, however, the translation leans more toward “glory” as having weight. Weight not being a physical characteristic but rather in terms of significance, ability, or potential. The deadliest arrows are the ones with a greater weight at the point and an archer with the strength and know-how to send it. That day Jesus revealed to His disciples his weight. Not a man of tricks and words, but a man who clearly had His finger on the Universe and who spoke the Word.
I like how Paul made a minor comparison to his affliction to that of Jesus’s sacrifice when he said in 2 Corinthians 4:17 “This momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory, which is beyond measure and surpassing all comparisons. It is a transcendent splendor and endless blessedness.” Christ’s glory is the great sacrifice He made for all. The suffering He endured for billions upon billions of people across a number of sin’s that I cannot begin to count. A weight none of us individually or collectively have or could carry.
Chris,
Thank you for sharing your meditation on “glory!” I love the insight about the “weight” of glory. That adds another dimension to the topic.
The comparison that comes to mind is a courtroom. Empty of people the courtroom is simply another room. Perhaps a little fancier than some, but basically a room. Enter the judge and jury and suddenly there is a “weight” to the room that wasn’t there before.
When God enters the room … we can only imagine the gravity of that situation.