From Glory to Suffering to Glory

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11 (KJV)

The Scriptures speak of both Christ’s glory and suffering. I mention glory first because Jesus had glory and lived in the same glory with the Father and Holy Spirit in eternity before the world was. Now, He abides in that glory after He came and suffered for us on the cross.

When we see Jesus face-to-face, we will see Him as the Son of man in His glorified body- or in His glory body that has flesh and bones, but no blood (He shed His blood on the cross and poured it on the mercy seat in heaven after His crucifixion).

And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. Luke 24:36-40 (KJV)

And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord…. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. John 20:20, 27 (KJV)

As we see Jesus as the Son of Man, we will also see Him as the Lamb of God Who has wounds in His body to show us He really died for us and that He is that same Jesus. The scars on His body are proof of His love and sacrifice.

And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. Revelation 5:6 (KJV)

Yet, as we look at Jesus, we will see the glory He had before He laid down His glory and came to earth to save us. When we look at Him, we will see Him in His humanity and also glorified in His deity as God. Therefore, He is and will forever be the God Man. He is the Man of suffering, the Lamb Who was slain, and the risen and glorified Lord. He lives forevermore in all of His glory.

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was :white as the light. Matthew 17:1-2 (KJV)

This was a peek at the glory Jesus had with the Father and a glimpse of His future glory that He would receive in His resurrection, ascension, and seating.

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen….  And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdlle, His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.Revelation 1:7, 13-16 (KJV)

When we eventually see Jesus, we will see the One Who was in glory and full of glory, Who suffered for us, and then resumed His glory. He will bear the marks on His body for all eternity, and we will see Him as the glorified One in His glorified body. Jesus went from glory to suffering and back to glory. That is one reason we will give Him all the glory through the endless ages upon ages.

And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. John 17:5 (KJV)