“We Beheld His Glory”

“And the Word was made 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)

When Peter, James and John were with the Lord Jesus on the mount of transfiguration, they heard Moses and Elijah talking to the Savior about “his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem” (Luke 9:31). The word translated “decease” would be more accurately translated “exodus.” Those disciples beheld Christ’s glory upon the mount, the very same glory that is revealed to us by the saving operations of his Spirit. By the death he accomplished, our Lord Jesus fulfilled the law and the prophets. He pleased the Father (Matthew 17:5). He obtained eternal redemption. He earned the right to be Lord as our Mediator. And he revealed the glory of God as “a just God and a Savior” (Isaiah 45:20-22). — In Christ crucified God sent forth “his mercy and his truth” from heaven and saved us (Psalm 57:3).

Have you beheld his glory? Have you beheld the glory of Christ by the Spirit’s gift of faith? If you would behold his glory, he says, “Look unto me!” Look and you will see. He does not say, work for me, but “look unto me.” He does not say, figure me out, but “look unto me.” He does not say, serve me, but “look unto me.” He does not say, feel after me, but “look unto me.” He does not even say, pray to me, but “look unto me.” Look away to Christ and, looking, you will behold his glory. Trusting Christ, we see his glory, just as Isaiah did, “the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (Isaiah 6:1-7).

It is by faith, only by faith, that we behold his glory (John 11:40). Trusting the Lord Jesus Christ, we behold his glory in redemption, in the saving operations of his grace, and in his adorable providence!

The Blessed Vision

John describes the blessed vision before us, as we behold the glory of our Savior. It is “the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” What glory we have before us, as we behold the glory of Christ by faith!

·      The Glory of His Wonderful Person — God and Man (Isaiah 9:6)!

·      The Glory of His Perfect Righteousness as Our Representative (Jeremiah 23:6)!

·      The Glory of His Sin-atoning Sacrifice (2 Corinthians 5:21)!

·      The Glory of His Sovereign Dominion (John 17:2)!

·      The Glory of His Tender, Sympathizing Humanity (Hebrews 1:9-7:25)!

·      The Glory of His Heavenly Intercession (1 John 2:1-2).

·      The Glory of His Persevering Love (John 13:1)!

·      The Glory of His Final Triumph (Revelation 19:1-6)!

The Witness Given

One reason why the Lord God has so graciously given us grace to behold his glory is that we might bear testimony to others of his glory as “eye witnesses of his majesty” (1 John 1:1-3). As soon as Isaiah beheld his glory, the Lord God said to that sinner whose lips still burned with the purging fire off his altar, “Go tell this people!” That is what we must do. — Proclaim the Glory!

      Jesus Christ is the Only Savior of poor sinners. He is the only begotten of the Father. He is full of grace!

“Plenteous grace with him is found, —

Grace to cover all my sin:

Let the healing streams abound,

Make and keep me pure within.”

The Lord Jesus Christ is full of truth! — He is Truth! — He is the Truth of all the Prophets, all the Law, and all the Promises of God!

“All hail Immanuel, all divine

In Thee Thy Father’s glories shine;

Thou brightest, sweetest, Fairest One,

That eyes have seen or angels known.

O may I live to reach the place

Where He unveils His lovely face.

Where all His beauties saints behold,

And sing His name to harps of gold!”

            Have you beheld his glory? Oh, may God give you grace to behold his glory from this day forth and forever more!

Don Fortner

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