WAITING FOR HIS GLORY

 

 

We seek honor and glory, but we seek it in the wrong way, as the Apostles had:

·       A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And [Jesus] said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. (Luke 22:24–27)

 

In the Kingdom of God, greatness is a matter of being like Jesus. We need to humble ourselves to serve as Jesus had. He was born into humility – a smelly fly-infested stable – He left in humility on the Cross and lived a humble existence, a Man of sorrows acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3). However, humility is the wind that stokes the blacksmith’s transforming fire.

 

When the Apostles sought their own glory, it created division. The sons of Zebedee came to Jesus to request to reign alongside of Jesus:

·       And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant. (Matthew 20:24–26)

 

Love and humility draw others to the Gospel and build community, while pride divides. James contrasted the humble wisdom from above with the earthly wisdom:

 

·       Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13–18)

 

The wisdom from below is self-serving and seeks immediate gratification. The Wisdom from above is the fertile soil whose fruit is peace. Jesus promised that those who exalted themselves would be humbled and those who humbled themselves would be exalted (Luke 14:11; 18:14; Matthew 24:12).

 

This means that our Lord wants to exalt and honor us (Romans 8:30). He will even glorify us in the presence of our enemies, filling our cup to overflowing with blessings (Psalm 23). However, this must be according to His timing and His way. He even wants to conform us, even more, to His own likeness (1 John 3:2-3). He will not deprive those who love Him of any good thing.

 

However, Adam and Eve jumped-the-gun. Eve had wanted to be like God right now. According to her desire, the serpent deceived her:

·       “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. (Genesis 3:5–6)

 

Why then did God place the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden? It was not only a test, but it seems to have served to humble the first couple so that, in the fullness of time, He might exalt His people to something far greater. Perhaps it was also prophetic of what was to come – to know as God knows (1 Corinthians 13:12) and to even reign over the nations along with Jesus (Revelation 22:5)

 

When we know these things, we can wait patiently rather than to pursue our own glory:

For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. (Galatians 5:5)