THINE IS THE GLORY

JOHN 17:1-8

THINE IS THE GLORY

 “…Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you…” John 17:1  (NRSV)

Early Calvinist seminarians were presented with a dilemma.  They are said to have been asked, “Would you be willing to be damned for the glory of God?”  Think about that question for a moment.

Imaginary Seminarian:  “What?  That’s not the way it’s supposed to be, is it?  Aren’t we supposed to be rewarded for faith, for good works, for our glorification of God?”

You can see the value of this hypothetical priority test, making all Christians squirm as we wrestle with what faith is really all about.  Is it about us and the reward we expect to be paid, or is it about God, whom we claim to serve?

The answer lies in the words of a wonderful old hymn, which we still sing today:  “Thine is the glory, Risen, conqu'ring Son; Endless is the vict'ry Thou o'er death hast won.”

Gracious God, in this season, as we celebrate the gift and victory of your Son, may we not confuse our priorities.  May we focus not on self, but upon you.  Amen.

~ Eric Lawson