God’s Glory Is a Different Glory
It was a unique gathering, the one on the Mount of Transfiguration. Not all of the Twelve disciples were there. Just three handpicked by Jesus – Peter, James, and John. Those three, plus Jesus, plus two more men long dead, Moses and Elijah. It would have been quite a group to stand around with and have a chat!
When we get together with friends we might reminisce about our moments of glory. That tournament in high school we came back and won by just a point or two in the last seconds. The time our child won a spelling bee. Maybe a brief moment of fame from appearing on a game show or exchanging words with a celebrity. “Glorious” moments are fun to talk about.
Jesus, Moses, and Elijah could have brought up Moses’ high point of raising his staff and leading the Israelites across the Red Sea. They could have also recounted . . . . Elijah’s unique and amazing journey to heaven at the end of his life accompanied by a chariot of fire and horses of fire.
The moment of glory on their minds was different. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem (Luke 9:31). Jesus’ departure was his exodus. That’s the word there. “Exodus.” In the first exodus God delivered his people from slavery in Egypt. Now Jesus’ exodus in Jerusalem – his death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven – would free his people from sin and eternal death. As Paul writes to the Ephesians: …6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace (1:6-7).
Jesus’ glory would take suffering. Glory, suffering, and deliverance through forgiveness and eternity go together for him. His suffering was glory, because it brought good for the world. Our most glorious moment is not ours. It’s Christ’s.
Of course, we can have fun remembering with friends and family big moments of accomplishment. We can also reminisce with joy about God giving us his grace through Jesus’ sacrifice for us. Who knows who might be listening and wonder about this “different” glory in our Savior?