Letters to the Prison - Week 157

March 16th, 2023
by Nick DeYoung

Hello! If you want to join our study and need a Bible, ask for one! Last week, we saw John’s account of what happened after Jesus predicted that Judas Iscariot would betray him. This account is contained in John 13:21-30.

Immediately following Judas’ departure, Jesus says something profound about himself:

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. -John 13:31-32

Jesus once again uses his favorite term for himself: Son of Man. This phrase encompasses both his humanity and his role as the Messiah who fulfills all the Old Testament prophecies. That’s plenty to think about right there, but we’ve only scratched the surface of what Jesus has asserted about himself here. That Jesus is “now glorified” is just stunning. First, God is the only one worthy of glory. Revelation gives a succinct reason why:

"Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”-Revelation 4:11

And yet Jesus is claiming glory for himself. The writer of Hebrews explains why:

For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. -Hebrews 3:3

But God does not share his glory with anyone or anything:

I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. -Isaiah 42:8

Jesus not only claims God’s glory for himself –which is amazing enough—he also asserts that God is glorified in him –God is in Jesus and Jesus is in God. To glorify Jesus is to therefore glorify God… at once. At the same time… Why? Because Jesus is God. This is why Jesus accepts the worship of men when no other prophet or angel ever legitimately sent by God would.

And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”-Matthew 14:33

Yet Jesus the Son distinguishes himself from God the Father. There is a union --a relationship-- between the two (and with the Holy Spirit). This mind-blowing relationship between Jesus the Son and God the Father is a profound reality that can only be adequately explained and understood by the concept of the Trinity. One God, three distinct persons --each equal and eternal and perpetually in relationship to one another.

With this stunning reality fresh in mind, Jesus has some amazing things to say to his disciples in the coming verses. We will begin to examine those next week. We love you!

Dean A.

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2023

January

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March

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May

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June

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October

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