Throughout the Bible, God displays divine glory. God shows this glory in many ways--in the beauty of creation, in miracles and wonders, in the giving of the Law, but most fully in the face of Jesus. John 12 (NIV) relates Jesus as praying:
27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voie came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
What did the Father mean, that He had glorified His name, and would do so again? Perhaps the first glory was that of the Law, but the second, better, glory, was that of the grace of God through Christ. Or, maybe the incarnation of Christ was one kind of glory, and the coronation of Jesus on the cross was the second. Or, the first coming was one glory and the second coming is the one to come. Who knows--but regardless, it is clear that Jesus is the fulfillment of God's glory. This is why Paul writes:
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:1-6).
Today, Jesus' glory should shine brightest in the face of his followers. Unfortunately, sometimes by their actions, Christians damage the reputation of God by their own actions instead of bringing God glory. It should be the goal of every believer to shine like Moses did with the presence of God (Exodus 34:29-35).
Today, I'd like to suggest a meditation in which you invite the glory of God to shine in you.
If you are using the Protestant (Anglican) prayer beads:
- Invitatory: "Let light shine out of darkness"
- Cruciform: "The glory of God in the face of Christ"
- Weeks: "Father, glorify your name."
If you are using the Roman Catholic rosary:
- For the "Our Father" bead: "Let light shine out of darkness"
- For the "Glory Be" beads: "The glory of God in the face of Christ"
- For the "Hail Mary" beads: "Father, glorify your name."
In both cases, say each phrase on the exhale and let the glory of God fill you on the inhale. Feel yourself being filled with the glory of God. Then, when you are done, go into the world and let your soul shine with God's presence. Glorify God with your life, and let others see Jesus in you.
