This morning I want to give you a few thoughts of mine concerning the phrase, "seeing the glory of God."
We know, first of all, that Jesus' ministry was consumed with the glory of His Father (John 17:1, 4). Jesus was actively living his life for one purpose - to honor and submit to the Father's perfect and sovereign plan. This He did with perfection.
Next, it seems as though seeing the glory of God is something that Jesus offers to Martha - if she believes - and not to everyone else (i.e. the crowds) who will witness this extraordinary miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead.
Along these lines, MacArthur notes:
It was a sovereign act of Christ, designed to glorify Himself and the
Father by putting His resurrection power on display. Consequently it would have
happened to matter how Martha had responded. But though all present would see
the miracle, only those who had faith in Christ would see the fullness of God's
Glory reflected in it (MacArthur, John 1-11, 473).
Thus it seems that seeing the glory of God is understanding what is truly going on here in this text. Sure, Jesus raises a man from the dead - a miracle which only God can do. However, the spiritual meaning, namely, that Jesus Christ is The Resurrection and The Life is something that is hidden to those who refuse to believe. But Martha has the opportunity to understand this:
Leon Morris notes:
For [Jesus] the "glory of God" was the one important thing. This means that the
real meaning of what He would do would be accessible only to faith. All who were
there, believes or not, would see the miracle. But Jesus is promising Martha a
sight of the glory. The crowed would see the miracle, but only believers would
perceive its real significance, the glory (Gospel According to John,
NICNT, 560).I pray that we all may see the glory of God today as we walk and live
life understanding just who Jesus really is.
