Two Types of Glory
recap of John 12
Here is a recap of John 12.
In John 11, we saw the raising of Lazarus from the dead which pointed to a much greater event: the hour of Christ’s glorification on the cross and the moment when he would defeat sin and death forever. We saw a picture of the miracle of salvation in this seventh sign in the book of John. Jesus' death would “gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.” The plot to put Jesus to death was all part of God’s foreordained plan of redemption. Jesus no longer walked openly but went into the region near the wilderness in Ephraim. When the Passover arrived, the people were looking for him to come to the feast. Previously in John 7, we had witnessed Jesus’ brothers encouraging Jesus to go to another feast to “show himself to the world”. But Jesus replied, “My time has not yet come...you go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.” Over and over we heard 'it is not my time', 'the hour has not yet come' and now in this pivotal chapter we see the hour of his passion and glory (John 2:4; 7:5; 8:20; 12:19). It is time.
John 12 is a hinge that brings the two sections in the gospel of John together: The Book of Signs and The Book of Glory. We see all the words of Jesus and the signs of Jesus presented in John culminating in one magnificent passage displaying Jesus’ passion and glory. This chapter shows the remaining seven days of Jesus’ life on this earth known as his Passion Week and takes up almost half of this gospel.
Here is a brief overview of that week from Phillips Commentary:
• Saturday - Lazarus and his sisters host dinner
• Sunday - Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
• Monday - Cursed the fig tree in Jerusalem (Matt. 21:18-22; Mk. 11:12-14, 20-25)
• Tuesday - Last public teaching ending at Mount of Olives (Olivet Discourse)
• Wednesday - Stayed in Bethany
• Thursday - Jerusalem, observed Passover with his disciples, arrested
• Friday - Crucified
We see two types of glory shown in the characters and circumstances in this chapter. The glory that comes from God and the glory that comes from man. In the opening scene, we see Martha serving, Lazarus reclining, simply being a witness to Christ's authority over death and Mary giving extravagantly. All are worshiping, all are glorifying God in their purpose and place. Then, we see Judas seeking the glory that comes from man by giving into his flesh and sinful desires to steal from the money bag. This prompts us to ask the question of ourselves: in my place and purpose how am I seeking the glory that comes from man or seeking the glory that comes from God?
We see the world going after Jesus in the arrival of the Greeks and their desire to "see Jesus". This is another stark contrast of those who oppose Christ in hardness and those who respond to Christ with openness. John 12:23 is the central verse in this passage and the purpose which Jesus came. And Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified." We see this upside down kingdom presented here. Jesus enters into Jerusalem riding on a humble donkey, not the typical entrance for a military leader which is what the crowd was looking for. This is not the worldly thinking that would exalt man through the path of greatness, but in this upside down kingdom the way up is down.
When George Mueller was asked, "What has been the secret of your life?" This was his reply:
“There was a day when I died. Died to George Mueller, his opinions, preferences, tastes, and will; died to the world, its approval or censure; died to the approval or blame even of my brethren or friends; and since then I have studied only to show myself approved unto God.” George Mueller
Death and denial are the path to exaltation. If we would follow Jesus, we must die. Die to our self, die to our desires, our preferences our comfort. Die to the approval or acceptance of man and live only for the approval of God.
In this chapter, we are shown the responsibility of man and the sovereignty of God in believing the word made flesh. Only Christ can awaken a dead heart and cause it to respond in faith. This word will be the judge over our lives at judgment day. Did we believe in the word made flesh? There is great encouragement here for the believer and a great warning for those who remain in their sin. ALL judgement was poured out on Christ at the cross. The is no more judgement left for those who are in Christ. (Rom. 8:1 - There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.) But for those who reject this word, there is only increasing darkness and the full judgement and wrath of God to be poured out unless they believe. This truth should fuel our obedience in being a witness of the gospel to those who are perishing. How does embracing the fact that the judgement day will come change the way we live in this world now? How would this encourage you as a saint or warn you as a sinner outside of Christ? How should this fuel our witness to the gospel up until the 'last day'?
When we find ourselves wrestling between these two glories, fighting back the flesh and seeking only how we can glorify God in whatever purpose and place he has ordained for us, may this be our prayer:
"...for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name."
“Christ’s death is his glory and it ought to be ours...To spiritual eyes, the Christ of God was never more glorious than when he was nailed to the cross of Calvary...A glory, never equaled, shone around the Conqueror of death and hell when he bowed his head, and said, “It is finished!” - Charles Spurgeon
Coram Deo,
Rachel Bochat