What does the word “glory” mean?
This word appears literally hundreds of times in the Bible, but for many of us, the concept can feel abstract. Is it referring to honor? Renown? Praise? Beauty? Fame? And what about all the different ways that “glory” is used? Does it mean something different when we’re talking about “the glory of God” versus “giving glory to God,” or “glorifying God?”
The truth is, the word “glory” can have slightly different meanings depending on its context, but it generally refers to the manifest presence of God. The glory of God is the fullest expression of His character, attributes, and ways. When we give glory to God, we are not simply giving credit to God, but we are directing everyone’s attention to God’s perfect goodness. This is one reason why the integrity of our faith and worship is so important. If we praise God with our lips, but chase the world with our lives, then we are not actually glorifying God. His nature, and His love, are not made manifest by our mere words, but by our lifestyles.
All of this background helps us to understand what Jesus is praying in John 17. In this chapter, Jesus is preparing for His death with rather strange language: “Glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you” (John 17:1). These are not the words you would expect from someone about to be executed! But once we understand what glory means, then we can understand what Jesus is saying here:
“Make your presence manifest through me.”
This is the great irony at the heart of John’s gospel: the moment of glorification coincides with the moment of crucifixion. Although we tend to equate glory with honor and fame, Jesus is saying the exact opposite. The clearest revelation of God’s character is not in the Son’s exaltation, but in His humiliation. In other words, if we want to know what God is really like, then we need look no further than Jesus on the cross.
For the world, this notion of glory is utter nonsense. It doesn’t sound like glory at all. But for Christians, this is our call. If we desire for our lives to truly glorify the Father, just like the Son, then the weight of our worship does not come from our Sunday morning singing or the Christian bumper stickers on our cars. Instead, one of the clearest ways we glorify God is through our humble, sacrificial love. When we actively lay down our idols, our comforts, our priorities, and our preferences out of love for God and others, we embody the character and ways of Christ, who did the same out of love for us.
The Podcast was just over the top. I usually try to focus on 3 to 4 scriptures and journal that group of scripture, but this entire chapter overwhelmed my heart. It was like you could literally hear the love for Jesus had for His disciples; “the people you gave me”. We stand here 2000 years later on His obedience to the will of the Father, “I have given them Your word” and then He ask “I am not praying that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil one”.
I feel as though my heart has melted in the knowledge of this great love.
And… I accidentally hit return… sorry!
I must have cancelled an earlier post this am. Let’s be disciples today and every day, sisters! I noticed that Jesus’ prayers for the disciples and all believes were so very similar. We are His disciples too. May we live like we are! Don’t let us take our ‘God box’ off the shelf on Sunday and then not open it again for a whole week. Let us tell and show others whose we are each and every day!
I must have cancelled an earlier post this am. Let’s be disciples today and every day, sisters! Don’t let us take our ‘God box’ off the shelf on Sunday and then not
Such wonderful, insightful comments and prayers today. I highly recommend the podcast! We have Rachel Myers back on it again! They had many many bits of wisdom, I wish I would have had a notebook handy. It is such a great accompaniment to this study. I feel so blessed to have found this group/study years ago, and I literally can’t wait to get “into the word” every day.
And another thing, if you haven’t, please listen to the week 5 podcast, featuring Raechel Myers, the co-host herself as guest. I’ve been missing Raechel dearly from the broadcast & wildly appreciate the joy she & Amanda share when discussing scripture & exchanging wisdom & inspiring faithfulness with their guests. In this podcast Raechel opens a wee window into her time away. My big “takeaway” is our God is so much mightier than any mountain before any of us. And so it is! Huge Hug & Powerful Prayer!
I am in awe that Jesus, t the end of His time on Earth, would pray for and be thinking about us. Thank you Lord Jesus for Your selfless love. Shes’s I need prayers for my husband. Long story short the medicine that seemed to be the answer for managing his disease may not be working. His life, especially childhood, have been anything but easy. This disease is an added stressor on his already weary soul. I don’t want this news to be “the straw that broke the camels back”. He has a personal relationship with God and he knows that God is good and that His ways are higher, but I pray that he would fully put his trust and faith in Him. Please pray that this medicine would end up working and that I will have the right things to say to encourage him. Thank you ladies! I don’t post much, but I pray for you and your request daily. This is such a wonderful community.
I am in awe that Jesus, t the end of His time on Earth, would pray for and be thinking about us. Thank you Lord Jesus for Your selfless love. Shes’s I need prayers for my husband. Long story short the medicine that seemed to be the answer for managing his disease may not be working. His life, especially childhood, have been anything but easy. This disease is an added stressor on his already weary soul. I don’t want this news to be “the straw that broke the camels back”. He has a personal relationship with God and he knows that God is good and that His ways are higher, but I pray that he would fully put his trust and faith in Him. Please pray that this medicine would end up working and that I will have the right things to say to