Upgrade Your Admiration For Christ

“When he had gone out, Jesus said, ’Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, “Where I am going you cannot come.” A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another’” (John 13:31-35, ESV).

Do you know Charlie Kirk?

He was an American conservative activist. At 18, he was a co-founder of conservative movement and later became a Christian movement called Turning Point USA. He endorsed and supported Donald Trump. President Trump said that without Kirk, perhaps, he would not have won the Presidency.

Charlie was unknown to me. Last September, however, I saw in the FB video clip about his assassination. He was in the college campus speaking to the students. Suddenly a bullet hit him and blood spurted or gushed out from his neck!

He was killed at the age of 31. I became interested to know him. I searched and reviewed what he said when he was still alive. Even the Prime Minister of Israel knew and honored him. I began to admire him. And the more I learn about his life and his belief, my admiration for him increased.

Now, in what point in our life that interest or admiration for Christ blossomed in our heart? And if we have experienced it, are we now contented to have that level of admiration for Him?

So, this time, let’s explore our topic, UPGRADE YOUR ADMIRATION FOR CHRIST, while we study our text (John 13:31-35).

We already knew about the life and the words of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. And we are thankful and even praising Him.

But, what other things in Christ that could intensify our appreciation for Him? Or, what could we see in His attitude that could upgrade or magnify our admiration, even adoration for Him?

Be reminded again that the Book of John was written by the Apostle John, who addressed himself as the “disciple whom Jesus loved.”

Last time we went through verses 21-30 of chapter 13. We looked on the humanity of Jesus Christ. And we noted that His humanity was spectacular. It was spectacular as we considered the splendor of His Sovereignty. His humanity was spectacular as we considered also the grace of His human virtue.

Now, in our present text, we see at least three angles that display the brilliance in the attitude of Christ. And those attitudes can motivate us to intensify our interest or appreciation for Him. What are, then, his attitudes that can upgrade or increase our admiration, even adoration for Him? His attitude of…

First, LOOKING FORWARD TO THE HAPPY ENDING (verses 31-32).

We read verses 31-32, “When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.’”

After Judas left, Jesus did not focus on the betrayal. He did not focus on His crucifixion. He looked ahead. His mind was directed further forward. In His mind, the suffering that was about to take place was absorbed or dominated by the glory awaiting ahead. “Now is the Son of Man (referring to Himself) glorified…”

He was aware of the coming betrayal. He foresaw His suffering and death on the cross. But Jesus was more concerned of His glorification, not just of His resurrection but the glory to be with the Father and the glory He could bring to Him.

While Jesus was about to face and endure horrible suffering, He was looking forward to the happy and glorious ending.

In our world, when positive thinking is promoted, there is a saying that we could hear, “Look at the light at the end of the tunnel.” It suggests that difficulties and obstacles are temporary. Focus not on the darkness you are going through, but on the light where you will arrive.

Well, that’s an encouraging saying. But the Word tells us to direct our attention, not on the saying of men but on Jesus. It says, “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2, ESV).

We are told to look to Jesus. See His example. Not just for His endurance. But to have faith. He modeled the faith as seeing ahead the joy, so we could have also the faith to endure and despise whatever suffering we go through, and to have the faith to value more to be in the Presence of God and the exaltation He would bestow.