Good morning! It’s December 22, 2024, and Christmas week is finally here! We’ve completed 3 of our 9 services, and each one has been stellar. There are still 6 more to go! It’s the Gospel presented through word, light, music, dance, drama, and song.
I can’t help but think of that first Christmas Day when the angel didn’t just make a casual visit. He appeared with fanfare, surrounded by the bright lights of the Lord’s glory that nearly blinded the shepherds! Then suddenly, a great choir of angelic hosts joined the divine Master of Ceremonies, singing at the top of their celestial lungs. What a presentation that must have been!
We won’t come close to that exuberant display, but we’ll do our very best … for He alone is worthy of our utmost praise! Read on …
Today's Reading:
John 15,16,17,18
Scripture
"After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” (John 17: 1-2)
Observation
I had always believed that when God was glorified, it meant He would throw a party of epic proportions—an unparalleled celebration! The Jews modeled this in their feast days, some of which lasted a week or more. But here, Jesus refines the definition of giving glory to the Father.
Of course, there are times when glorifying God is expressed with total exuberance and joy. Yet, at other times, we glorify Him by staying faithful to His plan, even as we enter a season of suffering with joy and confidence. When Jesus asked the Father to glorify Him, He was about to be crucified.
But He wasn’t headed to a lavish celebration—He was headed to Calvary, where He would be impaled on the cross. And yet, in that act, the Father would be glorified.
Application
Glorifying the Father may include festivity, but that celebration comes because God’s people have obeyed, and now He releases the result, the reward, the joy! He gives us His instructions, and joy follows when we obey. Jesus reminded us of this in John 15 with these words: “I have told you this so that … your joy may be complete.”
God receives glory and shares His pleasure with His creation when we choose to follow His commandments to the end. It’s only then that we begin to understand His eternal plans. Often, He won’t show us the “why” in advance. Instead, He reveals the “what,” and that’s when we get to trust and obey.
When the time is fulfilled, and we look back, He unveils the “why.” It’s in that moment of understanding that … heaven comes down, and glory fills my soul!
Prayer
Father, glorify Your name in me. It may not be through something splashy or extravagant—just simple, faithful obedience. In due time, we can celebrate. But until then, may You receive glory from our long obedience in the same direction … even if that path leads me to Calvary.
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