When it comes to climbing the tallest, most unforgiving mountains in the world, you want to make sure you have the best equipment. You check and double check to make sure you have everything you might need. You plan your climb carefully, trying to anticipate every possibility. And, you make sure you have the right climbing partner. Your partner can make or break you. You need to be sure that your partner shares your thinking, your philosophy of climbing, and your goals. You don’t want your climbing partner going off on her own, switching strategies and goals when you’re half way up a sheer ice wall.
On October 2, 2008, the father-son team of John and Ryan Dahlem stood arm in arm at 26,906 feet on the summit of Cho Oyu, the world's sixth highest mountain. They share the joy that they have shared five times before when they had reached the highest peaks on five of the planet's continents. A truly amazing accomplishment built on determination, passion and a profound unity of mind, will, purpose and plan.
(Read more at www.ocregister.com/ocregister/life/ocpeople/article_2193950.php)
But the determination, passion, and profound unity of mind, will, purpose and plan of this father-son team pales when we consider the divine Father-Son team. Their unity was, and is absolutely unwavering and extends to the most minute detail of mind, will, purpose and plan. And it all focuses with laser-sharp precision on the glory of the triune God.
The life and death of Jesus is one of reciprocal glory. The Father working to glorify the Son while the Son works to glorify the Father.
Therefore when [Judas] had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; 32if God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately. (John 13:31-32 NAU)
Consider these powerful verses phrase by phrase. Jesus says, "Now is the Son of Man glorified." It is time for Jesus to go to the Cross and He identifies the Cross as that which will display and bring Him glory. We will think about the glory of the Cross more fully in the next post, but for now, recognize that the Cross is a magnificent display of Christ’s glory.
Jesus continues, "And God is glorified in Him." The glory of the Cross is not Christ’s alone. The magnificent display of the glory of Christ also showcases and magnifies the magnificent glory of God the Father. It is the divine Father-Son team that together are glorified in the Cross.
"If God is glorified in Him (Jesus), God will also glorify Him in Himself." The Father will receive glory in the Son and the glory He receives will also be the Son’s because the Son is glorified in the Father. When either one receives glory, the other receives glory. They share the same glory.
Jesus ends this statement by declaring that the Father will, "glorify Him immediately."
It’s time. Time for the brilliant, earth shattering, pivotal display of the glory of the triune God . . . at the Cross . . . in the Cross . . . through the Cross.
The life and death of Jesus is one of reciprocal and shared glory. The Father working to glorify the Son while the Son works to glorify the Father. They work together in flawless unity of mind, will, purpose and plan . . . its all His-Story of His glory.
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: The Glory of the Cross
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