Lifelines:

The glory of God occupied the mind of Jesus in His closing hours. He prayed for it (John 17:1) and passed it on to His disciples so that they would be united (Vs. 22). Eyewitnesses saw it (John 1:14). There has never been anyone like the Son and He displayed it, full of grace and truth. It is that which lit up the countryside at the angelic birth announcement (Luke 2:9). Now, it is the task of the church to glorify our Father.

Jesus did so by accomplishing His God given assignment. It took unexpected twists and turns that surprise us. Lazarus, Mary and Martha could have vouched for that. Sickness and death, mourning and grief, disappointment and doubt do not seem to be a likely formula for the glory of God. They are (John 11:4). Peter could verify the unpredictable ways of glorifying the Lord. Death was his way, too (John 21:19). Completing our mission is the means by which God is glorified. It is not always what we expect.

Jesus told His disciples what it meant to glorify God. He defined the terms by which it will inevitably happen and the conditions in which it is impossible. It all has to do with our relationship with Him (John 15:5). We are dependant upon the Son to glorify the Father. Those two are inseparable. If we break our connection with Jesus, it will not happen. There are visible indicators that prove that we are followers of Jesus and glorify our Father (Vs. 8). It happens when we walk with Him. It never will if we do not.

Christians are the Light of the world (Matthew 5:14). In the midst of our poverty of spirit, mourning, gentleness and all those other characteristics of disciples (Vss.3-12); we may not feel particularly illuminating, but we are. The purpose of our shining is to spotlight the good works that lead to the glory of our Father. His glorification is the ultimate point. Any other results are misguided.

The church of the Lord has the potential to be filled to the fullness of God (Eph. 3:19). It is impossible to fully comprehend that possibility, but Westside has such opportunity. We may even think that it is beyond us, but it is not, “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us…(Eph. 3:20).” He is able if we are willing. Let us honor Him be being all that we have the possibility to be, “…to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen (Vs. 21).”