Manifestation of Christ's GlorySpeaker: Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Gist: The glory of Christ is beyond the glory of the angels in heaven. Everyone will see the glory around us when we have God's presence with us. The Lord will make us His children and fill us with His presence. May His glory be manifested in our lives! God called Abraham and said to him, "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Genesis 12:2,3).
After God gave the promise to Abraham, a son was born to Abraham. He was named Isaac. However this prophecy was not fulfilled immediately in his life. A grandson was born to Abraham. He was named Jacob. God chose Jacob even as he was in his mother's womb. God gave Jacob the same promise which he had given earlier to Abraham (Romans 9:12; Genesis 25:23). God separated him and his descendants for Himself.
"You are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples." (Deuteronomy 7:6,7)
Dear friend, after Lord Jesus came to this world and gave His precious life for mankind on the cross at Calvary, those who accepted Him in their hearts and were washed clean by His precious blood were 'His people' chosen by Him. Those who did not have this experience were the Gentiles.
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." (1 Peter 2:9)
Whoever is washed in the blood of Lord Jesus is of the 'chosen generation', 'royal priesthood', 'holy nation', 'His own special people'. Today, He gives them all the blessings that He had given His chosen people through Jacob, the grandson of Abraham.
Prophet Ezekiel, who had a vision of the Lord, sees His throne in heaven and the Cherubims and Seraphims standing around God's throne (Ezekiel 9:3; 10:4). Then he goes on to say, "The glory of God of Israel was high above them" (Ezekiel 11:22).
Prophet Moses raised a tabernacle for the Lord. The Lord descended over it and His glory filled the tabernacle like a glowing fire (Exodus 40:34,35). King Solomon erected a temple and fell at the Lord's feet and prayed, "Now therefore, arise, O Lord God, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength. Let Your priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let Your saints rejoice in goodness" (2 Chronicles 6:41). Immediately, the glory of the Lord filled the temple and the priests could not enter inside it (2 Chronicles 7:1,2).
Lord Jesus Christ came to this world filled with the glory of God in heaven. That is why John, who saw Him face to face writes specifically, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).
In His first miracle, at the wedding at Cana Jesus changed water into wine and manifested His glory (John 2:11). He performed miracles to manifest His glory and authority over this earth and mankind.
Dear friend, do not forget that even today, Jesus desires to perform miracles and manifest His glory. It is to grant His grace, compassion and glory in our lives that Jesus fills us with His Holy Spirit. When a man is filled with the Lord's Spirit, he receives the glory of Christ in the earthen vessel of his body (2 Corinthians 3:18; 4:6,7). The Psalmist says, "But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head" (Psalm 3:3).
Once I had been to the city of Guntur in India, to conduct Jesus Calls good news meeting. At a particular evening meeting, at the close of the message I gave the usual invitation, "All who desire to sanctify their lives rise up and come forward. I want to pray to our gracious Lord for you." At once, so many came forward with tears flowing down their cheeks. A lady came running towards the dais. She was clapping her hands and shouting ecstatically, "There is Jesus! There is Jesus!" She was filled with the Holy Spirit. Some who did not know her exalted experience thought that she had been seized by the devil. They took her by her hands and began to rebuke her, saying, "Devil, be gone!" But she told them, "There is no devil in me. Look at the dais there and Jesus is standing by the side of the speaker. Let me go and take hold of Lord Jesus." She then broke into tears.
Dear friend, today what exalts us in our individual lives and our ministry is the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is surrounded by the Cherubims and Seraphims in Heaven. The glory of Christ exceeds their glory. The same glory of Jesus surrounds you and me when we become His people. When you are filled with the Spirit of the Lord, the same glory manifested above His throne will be manifested in your life too. It is for us, Lord Jesus came down to this earth. Do you seek the Lord in tears, with fasting, in pain and with much sacrifice? He will surely come in your midst and manifest His everlasting glory. He will call you, "My dear child!" and exalt you.
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father,
Come and dwell in my home and in my heart. Let Your mighty presence go with me everyday. Let everyone witness Your glory manifested through my life. Make me worthy to stand and serve You all the days of my life. Make me Your child. Father, I give You all the glory. I make this prayer in the matchless name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen. |