Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Good morning, dear ones.
It’s warm and windy. About 60 degrees. Becki and I have done our walk/jog. I took time to repair the awning that I had set up over our cider press operation a few weeks ago. I’d really like to finalize all that today if I can justify the time. Even with all the wind, there remain some very nice apples on the tree. The birds are consuming them pretty fast now too.
I have sign work, sawmill work, and Thano will be after me to help him get his firewood processing system set up. We got in some pleasant relaxation with the Petersons at Seaside…but not much room for leisure now.
I’m sure that breakfast is about on the table. Late one. But it will be a good one…including sweet potato hash browns. If you haven’t tried that, you’re missing out.
Blessings. Love, Dad/Ray.
What!? How in the world can Jesus be talking about GLORY at a time like this?! His betrayer has just been released to carry on with his dastardly deeds. Jesus has to know that He is about to pass through horrific suffering, unjust persecution, and death by crucifixion?! “Now is the Son of Man glorified?”
My Bible Dictionary (Unger’s) offers some important insights that expand my comprehension. Consider this definition: “To GLORIFY—the exercise and display of what constitutes the distinctive excellence of the subject of which it is spoken. Thus in respect to God, His glory is the manifestation of His divine attributes and perfections…glory is the expression of holiness as beauty is the expression of health.”
It is very clear to me that neither the angry Jewish leaders nor the betrayal of Judas nor the popular opinions of the crowds were in any way the authors of the drama here unfolding. The entire scene is right on schedule and in perfect alignment with DIVINE AUTHORSHIP. (Please notice that God permits and even uses the dirty deceptive devil as a player in the fulfillment of HIS WILL. Selah.) And because of that underlying and over-riding fact, God is being GLORIFIED—whether people know it or not—whether they like it or not.
Let’s take time to get personal and practical by raising this question: How can you and I participate in GLORIFYING GOD? The fundamental answer is two-fold and stated quite clearly in this passage.
- BELIEVE (TRUST). The KJV puts John 14:1 this way: “Let not your heart be troubled. Ye believe in God, believe also in me.” The same verse in the NIV reads, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” It does make sense that believing and trusting go together.
- LOVE ONE ANOTHER. “A new command I give you: Love one another as I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).
Like the song goes—“Trust (believe) and obey (obey the command to love), for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” And there is no other way for you to GLORIFY GOD.