FATHER, GLORIFY YOUR SON.
"Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him". (John 17:1)
These are the words of Jesus when he lifted up his eyes to heaven to inform God that he had finished his mission on earth, to redeem mankind from sin. God indeed glorifies Jesus at the cross of Calgary, where the son of man was crucified. Jesus' death and resurrection marked a significant change in the world: easy access to God through Jesus Christ, and being joint heirs of salvation(Romans 8:17) with Christ Jesus. Jesus resurrection on the third day(Acts 2:29), put a slap on the face of his mockers and heralded a new era for believers.
Jesus' last words at the cross of Calvary highlights what we may encounter when we are to be glorified by God, when we want to fulfill our own destiny on earth. His words are full of mystery.
THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF JESUS
1. "Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)
A man that will be glorified by God must learn to forgive. "If you forgive others their offenses and wrong doings, your heavenly father will forgive you as well." (Matthew 6:14). Most of those people that hurt us don’t even know why they do it. They may feel guilty later, but we need to forgive , "bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." (Colossians 3:13)
2. "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise." (Luke 23:43)
As we travel in our Christian journey, there are mockers waiting to humiliate us, as well as some unbelievers who sympathize with our Christian course. Once they repent of their sin, find a way to bring them into the church. They will be useful to God’s kingdom. Don't neglect them in the dark, because we are commissioned "to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light, and from Satan's power to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me."(Acts 26:18).
3. "When Jesus therefore saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing by, he said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour, that disciple took her to his own". (John 19:26, 27)
We should not neglect our duty to care for our parents while on mission fields, when we are doing God's work, . We should give them over to a reliable relative to care for them while we fulfill our ministerial calling and our missionary journey to other parts of the world.
4. And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" That is, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?". (Matthew 27:46)
We may feel neglected when we call heaven and no response comes, a moment when God seems to be silent, but He is not; He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, most gladly, I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Even Jesus expressed his natural feeling to God to avoid pain and suffering for duty ahead of him, saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done." (Luke 22:42)
Please remember that the Lord is good at all times, and his mercy endures forever. His mercy will see us through those tribulations, and then we will be glorified.
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5. "I thirst". (John 19:28)
At that moment when we thirst to be relieved from pain and suffering, making effort to connect our soul to the mercy seat of God, we tend to be quenched with sour words from fellow humans. At the verge of being glorified by God, we will definitely need Heaven's attention just like the psalmist says in Psalm 42:1–3, "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When will I come to appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually say to me, "Where is your God?"
Whatever man gives us cannot quench our thirst. Let us see the conversation that ensued between Jesus and the Samaritan woman; "Jesus answered and said to her, Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. " (John 4:13)
It is the living water that can perfectly quench our thirst; "And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let the thirsty come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely." (Revelation 22:17)
6. "It is finished". (John 19:30)
Mission accomplished. Purpose achieved. Perfect execution of the project. It is a victorious word. Having passed through many trials and tribulations, being rejected and mocked, being falsely accused, we heave a sense of relief. That’s what Jesus did. He finished the job that God gave him. "I have glorified you on the earth: I have finished the work which you gave me to do" (John 17:4).
Our Christian duty must be applauded by God, to ascertain real success, not human eulogy that may fade away with time; "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day, and not to me only, but also to all who have loved His appearing".(2 Timothy 4:17).
Strive to get the crown. Work towards it so that you can be glorified. "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it". (1 Corinthians 9: 24)
7. "Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit. " (Luke 23:46)
We can't glorify ourselves, nor can any human glorify us. Let us put our trust in God's arm, which can perfectly glorify.us .Commit your ways to Him. Our dependency should be on him. Our loyalty must be to him. He’s our master, We will give an account of our earthly assignment very soon. If you are yet to be saved, please repent and forsake your sins. He is willing to accept you into his fold.
If you have backslidden because of the trials and persecution, please retrace your steps back to God like the prodigal son. "And the son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son." (Luke 15:21), he was received back with full honors.
Fellow ministers of God and brethren, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." (1 Corinthians 10:12).
"Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth." (Psalm 31:5)
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I have heard your word, sanctify me through your truth. Deliver me from all trials and tribulations, and strengthen me Oh lord, I need your help. It is now time for you to glorify me. Let your perfect will be done in my life in Jesus' name, Amen.
God bless you.
James Dina
25th September 2022
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