Seeing His Glory
Scripture Reading — John 17:1-5, 22-26
Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory. John 17:24
Years after Jesus ascended to heaven, he appeared to his old friend John and gave him a glimpse of his glory. "His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance." It was too much for John to take, and he fell at Jesus' feet. Jesus touched him and said, "Do not be afraid... I am the Living One" (Revelation 1:16-18).
A long, direct look at the sun would blind us, and a long, direct look at the glory of Jesus would be too much for us in our present condition.
But that will change. Jesus wants his Father to give us a place in heaven, that we may see his glory and enjoy his splendor forever. The Holy Spirit promises, "They will see his face, and ... they will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever" (Revelation 22:4-5).
You and I will see God's glory in Christ, and we won't have to shield our eyes. We will reign with Jesus and feel at home on a throne. It sounds outrageous--but this is the Father's will, the Holy Spirit's work, and what Jesus wants. This will happen because God lives in us and loves us with the same love that he has for Jesus (John 17:23,26).
God glorifies himself by sharing his glory and inviting us to "participate in the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4).
Lord, give us faith to share in your sufferings, that we may also share in your glory. Unite us to fellow believers and to yourself in eternal love. In your name, Amen.
About the author — David Feddes
Dr. David Feddes is pastor of Family of Faith Church and provost of Christian Leaders Institute, which supports mentor-based ministry training through online courses. David is also adjunct missiologist for Crossroad Bible Institute, which provides biblical distance education to more than 40,000 people in prison. Previously he served as broadcast minister for the Back to God radio program, reaching people in more than fifty countries. David earned his Ph.D. in intercultural studies from Trinity International University, Deerfield, IL. He and his wife, Wendy, have nine children (one in heaven).
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