ETERNAL GLORY

John 17:4-5
4 I glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you have given me to do. 5 Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed. (WEB)

John 17 is an intimate revealing of the loving relationship that Jesus had with His Father. All that Jesus did on earth was to simply bring glory to His Heavenly Dad. His heart was always to honor His Father and obey all that He commanded Him to do. Of course this was what the Son delighted to do. In John 4:34 He even told His disciples... My food is to do the will of Him who sent me. (John 4:34)

Now as Jesus was turning His attention toward the cross, His prayer was that the Father would glorify Him with the glory that He had before the world even existed. Both Father and Son loved each other with an everlasting love and their desire was to bring glory to one another.

I am sure that none of us will ever be able to fully comprehend the glory of God in all its fullness, especially on this side of heaven. I think it would be futile for me to try and even imagine what that might look like. However, let me refer to one aspect of the glory of God that we read in Exodus 33.

Moses is talking to God and in verse 18, he asks God to show him His glory and God responds in verse 19 with this statement... “I will make all my goodness pass before you". I truly believe that the glory of God is expressed in His very nature. I believe that is what Jesus was asking for when He said in John 17:5... Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed. (WEB)

My prayer today is that we would truly value the glory of God in the same way that Jesus values His Father's glory. While His glory may be manifested in signs and wonders at times, the very essence of God's nature and goodness is the glory that we should all seek.

John 17:24
Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory, which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world. (WEB)