At the Cross

Therefore when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; if God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately. “Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ (Jn 13:31-33)

 

In the Upper Room, Jesus makes a bold statement, “God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately."  Certainly Christ is glorified in the upcoming events, but what did He mean that He would be glorified immediately? Following the Upper Room Discourse Jesus is arrested, suffers an ignominious trial, is brutally beaten, scourged, and crucified. The suffering and shame of the cross does not seem to be a very glorious event.  And yet it is.  At the cross Jesus demonstrates his absolute obedience to the will of the Father.  And He not only endures it, but with perfect poise and humility.  Those who saw Him die commented on this…

 

When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mk 15:39)

 

At the cross we see Jesus' love for humanity in graphic detail, as well as the Father's, who is willing to sacrifice His own dear Son.

 

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. (Jn 3:16-17)

 

At the cross, the Lord Jesus Christ defeated Satan. 

 

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. (Heb 2:14-15)

 

And as He defeats Satan, he also abolishes death.

 

But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 15:54-57)

 

The resurrected Christ is indeed victorious.  He is a conquering Hero, but also a suffering Servant.  Through the ultimate act of humble obedience He is able to defeat Satan, abolish death, all the while breaking the power of sin and provided eternal life to all who believe.  Absolutely amazing.

 

And as His followers, we are able to share in this victory.

 

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Ro 8:37-39)

 

Such a powerful Savior is more than capable to protect us and keep us in the love of God.  Nothing can ever separate us from His wonderful, eternal, unconditional love.  When conquering heroes returned from battle, they would march in a victory procession.  Paul uses this imagery to describe the victory we experience as we follow Christ.  He also alludes to the fragrant aroma the marchers would spread along the way.  As we walk in victory, we will exude the very fragrance of Christ. He won the victory over Satan, sin, and death.  We get the benefit, by faith.

 

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. (2 Cor 2:14)

 

Such things are almost too profound to comprehend.  We can barely glimpse the glory of Christ- His death and resurrection.  Of course, we will have all eternity to grow in our knowledge of Him and recognition of all that He has done for us.  And it will take all eternity to personally experience His wonderful love.  For now, we can see a heavenly scene from the book of Revelations.  Let us join with thousands upon thousands to acknowledge His greatness and praise Him as the one who is worthy.

 

Then one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered; thus he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” (Rev 5:5, NET)

 

They were singing a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were killed, and at the cost of your own blood you have purchased for God persons from every tribe, language, people, and nation. You have appointed them as a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels in a circle around the throne, as well as the living creatures and the elders. Their number was ten thousand times ten thousand—thousands times thousands—all of whom were singing in a loud voice: “Worthy is the lamb who was killed to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and praise!” Then I heard every creature—in heaven, on earth, under the earth, in the sea, and all that is in them—singing: “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be praise, honor, glory, and ruling power forever and ever!” And the four living creatures were saying “Amen,” and the elders threw themselves to the ground and worshiped. (Rev 5:9-14, NET)