7023 - Glory of the Son - John 1:14,15

Our studies in John have made us more aware of the majesty of Christ, and of the great value of the presence of Jesus Christ in heaven and on earth. Today let’s talk about the glory due Him because of who He is, and because of His sacrificial, unselfish aid rendered to mankind.

John 1, verses 14 and 15 will be our focus. Listen:

“The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”

We notice again that John writes of Jesus using the term “The Word” – the One who revealed to the world the deep nature and character of God. Jesus manifested the wisdom of God, and displayed the power of God; he exhibited the very purity and holiness of God. Yes, he personally made the grace of God known to a world darkened by sin. So the title “the Word” is a fitting expression for Him.

“We have seen his glory.” This word glory is defined as praiseworthy character, honor, splendor, renown, majesty. It is a translation of a Greek word ‘doxa’ which means honor from a good opinion.

Certainly the Father is glorious. Throughout Scripture He is portrayed as the King of glory. He is immortal and … lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honor and might forever…(1Tim 6:16).

Colossians (1:19) shares that: “God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Jesus on earth.” While Hebrews (1:3kj) give insight by saying: “[The Son is the] brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person…” We gain the insight that Jesus was fully like the Father in glory. However, when Jesus Christ became human He made the qualities of God visible to people in a new understandable way. People could observe His life. They could see His power evidenced in the miracles. God’s love, grace and truth were plainly shown continually in the life of Jesus.

Those who were close to Jesus, such as the disciples, received more opportunity to observe this glory, but even they did not fully understand while Jesus was bodily on earth.

How wonderful is the truth that Scripture is written for God’s children of all time. We may likewise cry out that we have seen his glory. For surely we have observed and experience His majestic power of comfort, protection, guidance and so much more in our lives. We profit from His humble willingness to suffer without retaliation.

We humbly accept the glory of Jesus as he prayed the night before His death: “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world (Jn. 17:24).”

Yes, the Son of God has demonstrated by life and by character that glory is full of grace and truth.

In verse 15 John the Baptist acknowledges that Jesus existed before he was born. This is reference to the timeless pre-existence of Messiah/Christ in Heaven before creation came about. The night before His death Jesus remembered these days serving in Heaven with the Father, and He asked the Father to once again restore those glorious relationships which they enjoyed before the world began (Jn. 17:5).

This was the basis on which John the Baptist gave recognition that Jesus had surpassed him in His service on earth.

The glory of Jesus continues. Let us be unrelenting in our praise of Him in His present service in Heaven and on earth.