The Joy of Glory

Isaiah 53 (click here)
…he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. (Isaiah 53:2b)

Reflection
Do you desire Jesus?

I hope the answer to that question is a resounding, “YES!” …but…the real question is, “Why do you desire Jesus?”

It surprises most people to find learn that Scripture describes Jesus as being average looking… just a normal guy. Most paintings and films portray him quite differently, as the ideal physical, male specimen.

Yet, God ensured that there would be nothing about Jesus’ outward appearance that would cause people to desire him. They needed to want Jesus for Jesus…and not for some other surface, superficial reason.

Today, we may not be able to look upon Jesus’ physical appearance, but people still want Jesus for all sorts of surface, superficial reasons.

Many people “desire” Jesus because of things they believe they can get from him. They think, “Jesus will bless me financially, or relationally, or with good health.” At the end of the day, they don’t really desire Jesus…he is just a means to something else. Jesus is “majestic” or “beautiful” to them for all sorts of materialistic reasons.

But the true majesty and beauty of Jesus isn’t because of WHAT he can get us…it’s because of WHO he is! Therefore, even if I lose wealth, health and relationships…I still gain as long as I have Jesus!

He may not appear majestic or beautiful by the world’s standards, but there will truly never be one of greater majesty and beauty than Jesus Christ!

*All previous devotionals may be found at www.thejoyofglory.com

*The complete SVCC Lenten reading guide is available here. 

John 1:32-34 (click here)
“…I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:34)

Reflection
Let’s do a little Greek grammar for just a moment. I promise it’ll be worth it.

There are various verb tenses in Greek, just like in English (although they don’t work in exactly the same way). The tense we need to know about is the perfect tense. When a verb is in the perfect tense it is basically speaking of action that happened in the past that still has ramifications in the present.

So if I said, “I fell in love with Holly,” and the word “fell” was in the perfect tense…it would basically mean “I fell in love with Holly and therefore I am now in love with her.”

In John 1:34, the verbs “seen” and “witness” are both in the perfect tense. So John the Baptist is saying, “I have seen and therefore am still seeing/knowing that Jesus is the Son of God.” “I have born witness and therefore am still bearing witness that Jesus is the Son of God.”

In other words, seeing the truth about who Jesus is has permanently changed everything for John! He’s been talking about it and can’t stop talking about it!

This is true for all who truly see Jesus as the greatest treasure ever…the very Son of God. That’s the kind of thing you cannot un-see, and it has ramifications for the rest of your life!

You came to know Jesus is the past, but that still has ramifications for the present, namely, we keep on speaking about Jesus…the Son of God.

The church has been speaking of him for 2000 years, we are speaking of him now, and will continue to proclaim his praise forever!

We have seen and borne witness to Jesus, and therefore we are still seeing and still declaring Jesus the glory of Jesus…the only Son of God!

*All previous devotionals may be found at www.thejoyofglory.com

*The complete SVCC Lenten reading guide is available here.

Psalm 118:22-29 (click here)
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:22-24)

Reflection
“This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

That is a verse I have heard quoted my entire life. It is a verse I have often quoted to myself. It is a general truth we remind ourselves of constantly by applying it equally to every day alike.

It’s not incorrect to do so. Each day of our life has been written by the Lord in his book even before we were born (Psalm 139:16). Yet, in Psalm 118 there is a very specific day being spoken of that calls for our rejoicing in what God has done.

It is a day upon which the rejected stone became the cornerstone.

This is a day crafted by God before time began. It is the center-point of history. It is the day when evil is turned upside down and death itself loses its grip as life conquers the grave.

It’s the day believers of old looked forward to, and the day upon which we now look back. It is a 24 hour period that has become the fountainhead of eternal rejoicing!

It is the day of the resurrection of the Son of God.

Jesus was rejected much like a builder would reject a stone as unfit for a building. Yet, through this very rejection, God made Christ the cornerstone of our faith! Through his crucifixion God brought about resurrection. Now, through faith in Christ alone comes salvation!

Oh how marvelous is this Gospel in our eyes!

This day of resurrection, this day of victory, this day when death died and life won forevermore through Christ alone…THIS IS THE DAY that the LORD has made… let us rejoice and be glad in it…FOREVER!

*All previous devotionals may be found at www.thejoyofglory.com

*The complete SVCC Lenten reading guide is available here.