Now is the Son of Man glorified

John 13:31-38

"When he was gone, Jesus said, `Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him.'"

Jesus did not consider his betrayal by Judas a personal tragedy. He saw it as the point at which he had turned the corner toward the cross, and would be glorified at once. By not stopping Judas, or somehow foiling Judas' plan to betray him, Jesus had accepted the rejection of the world and was now firmly on his way to Golgotha. He was resigned, he had surrendered to God's will, however unpleasant it was to be. NOW God was glorified in Jesus, and NOW God would glorify Jesus at once.

I can't say I understand this very well. But it is good to proclaim it, with or without understanding it. One thing I do understand, the glory that Jesus was seeking is very different from the worldly glory that I seek. I do not want people to reject and betray me. I don't know how to think of rejection as glory. But I must change my mind and accept hardship and suffering and sorrow as God's glory. So throughout the New Testament, there is a clearly defined doctrine of "sharing in Jesus' sufferings" given to us. Isaiah 52, Romans 8 are especially important. But 1Peter 4:13 sums it up well:

"But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."

Peter wrote this much later. At the time, he wanted to die with Jesus. But Jesus didn't need Peter to die for him, at least not now. He needed Peter to live for Him. It meant, in fact, that Peter would have to die to his own self-esteem and personal glory-seeking mentality. This would happen when he denied Jesus. It was a trial that Jesus especially ordained for Peter to pass through. It would be painful, but later he would have a true appreciation for the glory of Jesus.

Suffering here in America is something you have to kind of go looking for. But going to the campus and bearing rejection and being stood up and such things are a kind of mild suffering. I suspect in the very near future many other kinds of sufferings will come to those of us who do this kind of direct ministry. May God grant us all the fervor and vision of Jesus: that our suffering is for the glory of God, and that it glorifies Him, and that it is His glory for us.