After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
John 17:1-5 NIV
Glorify
Back in 2017, some Montreal-area schools and school boards reached out to parents to warn them about the potential negative effects on vulnerable youth of the then popular Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, and offered tips and facts about suicide prevention. The series has garnered praise from critics and caused a buzz on social media, helped by the fact that Selena Gomez was the show’s executive producer. But mental health professionals raised concerns the series may have glorified and even encouraged suicide among vulnerable young people.
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From time to time God revealed His glory to His people. Moses caught just a glimpse of it on the mountain – the Israelites saw it on his face when he came down from the mountain. Isaiah caught a glimpse of it and recorded it in the sixth chapter of his book. Peter, James and John saw it when Jesus was transfigured before them. In fact, Jesus brought the Father glory in all He did while here. In John 17:1-5, Jesus looked towards heaven and prayed “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” We may not have glimpsed Him in His glory yet, but we are called to live our lives in such a way that we glorify the Father too.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley