THE GLORIFICATION OF THE SON.
John 13:31-38.
JOHN 13:31-32. The inevitable process which would culminate in the self-sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf was reaching its climax. Jesus spoke of the reciprocal “glorification” of both “God” and “the Son of man.” In this we have the 'glory' of the Cross (cf. Galatians 6:14)!
The Cross is being viewed as a done deal. Using what we might call the ‘prophetic future’ tense, Jesus later tells His Father, ‘I have’ glorified You on the earth: ‘I have’ finished the work which You have given Me to do. He goes on, ‘And now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was’ (cf. John 17:4-5).
In the Cross, the Father is glorified in that He is seen to be ‘both just, and the justifier of all who put their faith in Jesus’ (cf. Romans 3:26). The Son is glorified in allowing Himself to be counted as ‘sin’ for us (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21), being made a curse for us (cf. Galatians 3:13) and shedding His blood for our redemption (cf. Ephesians 1:7). Further, the Father glorifies the Son in raising Him from the dead (cf. Acts 2:24) and receiving Him into heaven (cf. Daniel 7:13).
When Jesus spoke of His glorification, He no doubt foresaw not only His death, but also His resurrection and ascension. He saw you and me, believers, ‘seated in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus’ (cf. Ephesians 2:6). He also anticipated His coming again, not only for the remaining disciples, but for His whole church (cf. John 14:3; Revelation 22:20)..
JOHN 13:33. We are struck with the tenderness of Jesus towards His remaining eleven disciples: He calls them His “little children.” Jesus gently told His disciples of His impending departure from this earth, and in the following conversation reassured them that they would follow Him soon.
JOHN 13:34-35. In the meantime, His disciples were to be marked out in the keeping of a “new” commandment of love. The old commandment of love was to be made new in the sacrifice of Jesus (cf. John 15:13-14).
JOHN 13:36-38. Simon Peter interpreted the “going away” in terms of death, and heroically announced his loyalty. This brash bravado had to be corrected, and Peter would not fully follow until a later date (cf. John 21:18-22).
