Photo by Robin Benad on Unsplash

Dear Easter People,

“ALLELUIA! CHRIST IS RISEN! …”

“Glory” … what usually comes to mind when you think of that word? Often, it’s an image of victory and achievement. One definition is “high renown or honor won by notable achievements.”[1] Growing up a Bruce Springsteen fan, the song “Glory Days” recounted the achievements of a high school baseball player among other things. With graduations in high gear now, many receive glory for their academic prowess. In short, for many in the world, glory is something that sets them apart from others … makes them a top performer, #1 in their field.

Jesus talks a lot about glory too. And His view of glory also deals with the number one. But, His view of “one” is a little different. For Jesus, glory isn’t so much about being set apart as a singularly victorious achiever. In what is often called “The High Priestly Prayer,” found in John 17, Jesus tells us glory is about the unity of the whole of creation. It’s about everyone, all mankind joining Him in becoming one with His Father, as He is one with His Father. It would be like every player in the NHL hoisting the Stanley Cup over their heads. Or … it might be like every violinist, violist, cellist, and bassist in the orchestra being the “concert master.” But that’s what Jesus desires. He says to His Father about those who believe in Him, “The glory that You have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one.” (John 17:23) He gives His glory away to anyone who believes in Him so that they can be where He is, in eternal glory (John 17:24). Because of our faith in Him, we receive His glory … we become one with Him and His Father.

But Jesus gives His glory to us for a purpose. He doesn’t give it to us so we can say, “Look at me! I’m #1!” as we live our lives in the world waiting for our turn to enter into heavenly glory. Though that is a part of it, Jesus tells us that His glory is ours “… that (we) may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that (His Father) sent Him.” (John 17:23)

God the Father desires all mankind come to believe in His Son through His Word. First, He sent Jesus to tell the first disciples His Word. Then Jesus called these disciples to begin spreading the good news of the gospel, first in Jerusalem, then in Judea and Samaria, and finally throughout the world to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). From there, Jesus worked through all “who believe in (Him) through their word,” disciples through the ages, to continue spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth … including to us today.

And now we’re Jesus’ disciples. He calls on us to continue the spread of His gospel into the world. He works through us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to allow all mankind the opportunity to “believe in (Him) through (our) word” as we share His Word through our words and actions of love and compassion.

“… HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!”

                                                               In the Love of our Risen Savior,

                                                               Pastor Jim