Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Hi, Zane.

At this point, with the sound of torrential rain on the roof, I am not looking forward to getting out to take on what I am scheduled to do this morning—running the sawmill out in the open at a property a few miles away. Oh well—I’ll probably survive.

How are things going with your new job—which I think is also out-of-doors doing tree work—in the rain?

Hope your day goes as it should—which requires that you make the choices you should.

Love and prayers—Tua (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 real 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.

Reflecting on the content of this passage, 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. Indeed, they are commands.

1. 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.
2. 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). That action on the part of the insiders GLORIFIES the Author and draws in the outsiders.

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 us to GLORIFY GOD.