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MEDITATION:

Written by John Piper, a contemporary theologian, author, founder of the organization desiringGod.org, and chancellor of Bethlehem College and Seminary.

Defining the glory of God is impossible, I say, because it is more like the word beauty than the word basketball… There are some words in our vocabulary that we can communicate with not because we can say them, but because we see them. We can point. If we point at enough things and see enough things together and say, “That’s it! That’s it. That’s it,” we might be able to have a common sense of beauty. But when you try to put the word beauty into words, it is very, very difficult. It’s the same thing with the word glory. So, how shall I do it? We have to try, because we can’t just leave it for people to fill up on their own.

Here is the way I am going to try to do it. I am going to take it and contrast it biblically with the word holy and ask, “What is the difference between the holiness of God and the glory of God?”… The holiness of God is, I think, his being in a class by himself in his perfection and greatness and worth. His perfection and his greatness and his worth are of such a distinct and separated category — we have been taught that the word holy means separate — that he is in a class by himself. He has infinite perfections, infinite greatness, and infinite worth. His holiness is what he is, as God, that nobody else is. It is his quality of perfection that can’t be improved upon, that can’t be imitated, that is incomparable, that determines all that he is and is determined by nothing from outside him. It signifies his infinite worth — his intrinsic, infinite value. Now when Isaiah 6:3 says that one angel is crying to another, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts,” the next thing he says is this: “The whole earth is full of his . . . ” You might have expected him to say, “holiness,” but he doesn’t say that. He says, “glory.” The glory of God is the manifest beauty of his holiness. It is the going-public of his holiness.” The glory of God is the manifest beauty of his holiness. It is the going-public of his holiness. It is the way he puts his holiness on display for people to apprehend. So, the glory of God is the holiness of God made manifest.

PRAYER:

Written by Augustine of Hippo (354-430), an early Christian theologian and philosopher. He was the bishop of Hippo Regius (modern day Annaba, Algeria) and is viewed as one of the most important church fathers in Western Christianity.

Look upon us, O Lord, and let all the darkness of our souls vanish before the beams of thy brightness. Fill us with holy love, and open to us the treasures of thy wisdom. All our desire is known unto thee, therefore perfect what thou hast begun, and what thy Spirit has awakened us to ask in prayer. We seek thy face, turn thy face unto us and show us thy glory. Then shall our longing be satisfied, and our peace shall be perfect. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Davis Carman, a contemporary speaker and author. He is also President of Apologia Educational Ministries.

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Son of God (John 16:14). Jesus deserves that glory, and indeed, at the final meal with His disciples, Jesus prayed, “Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you” (John 17:1). But what does this glory look like? In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for glory comes from the same root word for “weighty” or “heavy.” In the New Testament, the meaning of the original Greek is more about radiance and brightness. Ultimately, to glorify means “to make much of something.” We see the glory of God depicted throughout Scripture: on Mount Sinai, the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire (Exodus 24:16); God said that the tabernacle would be sanctified by His glory (Exodus 29:43); as God’s glory passed by Moses, God covered him with His hand such that Moses could only see His back (Exodus 33:18-23), and the priests could not stand up because of the glory of the Lord filled the house of God (2 Chronicles 5:14). The Holy Spirit points us back to Jesus with good reason. Too often, other “good” things and the not-so-good things of this world compete with Christ for our affections. Cheap glory substitutes are offered to us every day. And when we allow someone or something to edge Christ out of His rightful place at the center of our lives, we have entered into idolatry. As we see in 2 Chronicles 7:1-3, glory first awakens awe and awe then unleashes worship. But our awe should always be driven by our relationship with God (vertical) and never by the relationships we have with His creation (horizontal).  When was the last time you stopped and considered the glory of God? What other persons or things compete for the affection of your heart? Can you think of a time when glory led you to experience awe, which led you to worship God?

PRAYER:

From the Mozarabic Rite, a liturgical rite of the Latin Church once used generally in the Iberian Peninsula (Hispania), in what is now Spain and Portugal.  Developed during Visigoth (Arian Christian) rule of the Iberian peninsula in the 500s AD.

O God,

Son of God,

so loving, yet hated,

so patient, yet assaulted and killed,

you showed yourself gentle and merciful

even to your persecutors.

You have atoned for our sins

through the wounds of your Passion.

As you humbled yourself and suffered death for us,

now, in your glory,

shine on us with the eternal brightness of your grace.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Evie Polsley, a contemporary author and marketing coordinator for Tyndale House Publishing.

I have the coolest job. Seriously, every day I get to read the Bible and dive into amazing content to find ways to bless others. Working at a Christian publishing house, I get to work with amazing men and women who have dedicated their lives to bringing God glory through the written Word. Still, there are times I just don’t want to go to work. Maybe there’s a huge presentation looming, I just can’t stand to look at one more spreadsheet, e-mails are piling up, or I once again have to use my “gift” of nagging so we can meet a hard deadline.  It’s during those moments of hair-pulling frustration that I usually see my friend Felix. I can’t think of one time when I haven’t seen Felix smiling as he diligently goes about his work. Vacuuming the stairs — amazingly done with a smile. Polishing a drinking fountain — it shines like nobody’s business, and Felix did it with a smile. That huge popcorn spill I had at my desk while nervously eating and trying to meet a deadline? You guessed it — Felix was there, helping me clean it with a joyful heart. God keeps teaching me through Felix that it’s not what we do but that we do it for God’s glory. We can be the most consistent Bible reader or a walking theology encyclopedia, but unless we apply God’s Word to our daily lives, we are empty.

Consider the Pharisees. They were the most biblically literate people around. They even knew the Law and the message of the prophets from memory, but when it came to their hearts and applying Scripture to their lives, they were in the negative zone…Every day we face situations small and large where we need to choose how to respond. So, am I like the Pharisees, living my life for show and the praise of others? Looking all put together on the outside — but really letting pride and selfishness take control on the inside? Or am I like my friend Felix, who allows Christ’s joy and love to shine through him no matter the task? When we read God’s Word, and apply it to our lives, we give God glory and praise. When we live out God’s truth, our lives are testimonies to His goodness, and we can bring real love and hope to a world that desperately needs it…our actions should be motivated by God’s love … in order to bring God glory. So, whatever I do — whether I’m eating or drinking, scrubbing toilets or finishing one more spreadsheet — I can pray: How am I honoring God? Lord, may everything I do be for Your Glory.

PRAYER:

Written by Evie Posley, the author of our meditation.

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for Your amazing Word that helps me grow closer to You. May it never become just something I read, but always be a living, breathing, transforming power in my life. Please forgive me for the times I don’t apply it and instead turn to my selfish desires. I pray I never let anything too big or too small stop me from giving You glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Dr. Harold J. Sala, a contemporary speaker, author, and founder of Guidelines International Ministries.

Over 500 times the Bible refers to the glory of God. God is called the “Father of glory.” Twice Jesus is called the “Lord of glory.” And the Holy Spirit is called the “Spirit of glory.” Coming to understand who God is and how He has shown us something of Himself … means deepening our knowledge and understanding of what He has done and His care for us. God’s glory is something like a multi-faceted diamond that is held under a bright light against a piece of black velvet that reflects the light many different ways, depending on how it is held and rotated. Obviously, God’s handiwork reflects the glory of Him who created our beautiful world. David cried out, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” When the Apollo 8 astronauts orbited the moon on Christmas Eve, they took turns reading from the Genesis account of creation. John Glenn, who made two trips into space, said, “To look out at this kind of creation and not believe in God is to me impossible.” We live on a beautiful planet. Whether you love the beach, delicate flowers, the vastness of an Alpine landscape, or the foliage of a rain forest, our world is beautiful and reflects the glory of its creator…Long ago the psalmist said that we are to “declare His glory,” which means the message our lives should bring to the world is that this marvelous God has touched our lives with His presence, making a difference, healing broken hearts, forgiving our sins that separate us from Him; and in response He wants recognition and thanks!

PRAYER:

Written by Augustine of Hippo (354-430), an early Christian theologian and philosopher. He was the bishop of Hippo Regius (modern day Annaba, Algeria) and is viewed as one of the most important church fathers in Western Christianity.

God to glorify. Jesus to imitate. Salvation to work out with fear and trembling. A body to use rightly. Sins to repent. Virtues to acquire. Hell to avoid. Heaven to gain. Eternity to hold in mind. Time to profit by. Neighbors to serve. The world to enjoy. Creation to use rightly. Slights to endure patiently. Kindness to offer willingly. Justice to strive for. Temptations to overcome. Death perhaps to suffer. In all things, God’s love to sustain you.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Kurt Sells, a contemporary teacher and director of Back to God ministries International.

In his discussion on Christian freedom, the apostle Paul touches on some important principles for following Jesus. While emphasizing our personal freedom in Christ, he urges that we respect where others are in their spiritual maturity. Embedded in this discussion is the most important principle for Christian living: in everything we do, we are to live for God’s glory. The Westminster Shorter Catechism lays out this lasting principle using the question “What is the chief end of man?” And it answers with a timeless, bedrock declaration: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”  Though we have all been created to glorify God, because of our sin and rebellion against him we live only to glorify and enjoy ourselves. And the tyranny of self-glorification brings us no enjoyment, just unending misery. But, praise God, when we’ve been saved by grace through faith, the Holy Spirit begins to reorient our lives, nudging, prompting, stirring us to live not for ourselves but for God. And as we grow in glorifying our Lord and Savior, we discover our true, lasting joy and purpose in God alone. Whatever you do today—from the most mundane chore to making the most weighty decision—do it all for God’s glory.

PRAYER:

The prayer today is from the Carmina Gadelica, a compilation of Scottish prayers, hymns, blessings, songs, proverbs and folkloric poems compiled by Alexander Carmichel between 1860 and 1909.

Thanks to thee, 0 God, that I have risen to-day,

To the rising of this life itself;

May it be to Thine own glory, 0 God of every gift,

And to the glory of my soul likewise.

0 great God, aid Thou my soul

With the aiding of Thine own mercy;

Even as I clothe my body with wool,

Cover Thou my soul with the shadow of Thy wing.

Help me to avoid every sin,

And the source of every sin to forsake;

And as the mist scatters on the crest of the hills,

May each ill haze clear from my soul, 0 God.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Ligonier Ministries, the teaching fellowship of R.C. Sproul.

Any study of God’s glory would be incomplete without a look at what the term glory actually means. Setting forth a precise definition of the word glory, however, is no easy task. Like many other theological concepts, God’s glory is a concept that we have an awareness of without necessarily being able to describe it in all its fullness. When we think of the glory of the Lord, the image of brilliant light often comes to our minds. That is certainly appropriate, as Scripture often describes the glory of God in terms of a light that shines brighter than anything that we experience on earth. For example, Isaiah 60:1-3 speaks of the glory of our Creator and not the sun being the light that shines forth in this dark world, revealing itself through God’s people that they might point the pagan nations unto the Lord of all.  Revelation 21:22-25 tells us that in the new heaven and earth, creation will have no need for the sun by day or the moon by night because the glory of the Lord shall illumine all of creation. Other biblical passages connect God’s glory with his holiness and weightiness, that is, His significance. We see this with particular clarity in Leviticus 10:1-3 and the account of Nadab and Abihu, who offered strange fire before the Lord. Moses does not tell us precisely what “strange fire” means, but it is clear enough that Nadab and Abihu acted irreverently in their actions. In other words, they did not approach God with proper reverence and awareness of His divine dignity. They did not glorify the Lord, and so they were consumed by fire from on high. Besides helping us see that glorifying God requires us to understand His significance, holiness, and weightiness, this passage also informs us of the seriousness with which the Lord takes His worship. Coming together with God’s people to praise His name is a distinct privilege and not something we should take lightly.  Worship is a matter of life and death, and not just under the old covenant. The Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 11:29-30 that partaking of the Lord’s Supper without giving due attention to its significance can kill us. We do not worship a God who can be regarded in a flippant or otherwise careless manner.

PRAYER:

The prayer today is from an ancient collect from the 6^th century.

O God,

you have folded back the cover of the night

to clothe us in the golden glory of the day.

Chase from our hearts all gloomy thoughts,

and make us glad with the brightness of hope,

that we may effectively aspire to promised virtues;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Mark D. Roberts, a contemporary Christian author. This meditation is from the Fuller DePree Center daily devotional, for which he is a principal writer.

Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed!

For centuries, Christians h ave greeted each other on Easter Sunday with these triumphant words. We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus not only because one we love has conquered death, but also because we share in his victory. Because Christ is risen, sin and death have been defeated. Because Christ is risen, we are saved. To use the language of 2 Corinthians 6:2, “now is the day of salvation.” The salvation we have in the risen Christ includes the assurance of the fullness of life in God’s future. One day, we too will be raised with Jesus, thanks be to God. But we begin to live in the reality of salvation today. “Now is the day of salvation,” Paul exclaims. Thus, we mustn’t “receive God’s grace in vain” (6:1). Rather, we should allow the grace of God given in Christ to transform us, inspire us, and empower us so that we might live for God and others in God’s name. Though God has done all that is necessary for salvation through Jesus Christ —who died on Good Friday and was raised on Easter—we are nevertheless “God’s co-workers.” Even as God created humankind to cooperate with God in the stewardship of the earth, so we also work with God in passing on the message of salvation in Christ. Through living as people in which God’s grace is alive and through speaking of what God has done to save us through Christ, we, along with the Apostle Paul, are God’s co-workers. Thus, as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on this day of salvation, we also commit ourselves once again to receiving God’s grace fruitfully and to living our whole lives as God’s co-workers. May God receive all the glory!

PRAYER:

Written by Rachel Marie Stone, a contemporary writer, editor, and speaker.

Lord God, you loved this world so much that you gave your one and only Son, that we might be called your children too. Lord, help us to live in the gladness and grace of Easter Sunday, every day. Let us have hearts of thankfulness for your sacrifice. Let us have eyes that look upon your grace and rejoice in our salvation. Help us to walk in that mighty grace and tell your good news to the world. All for your glory do we pray, Lord, Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by John Piper, a contemporary theologian and pastor. This is an excerpt from his book “Love to the Uttermost.”

As I read these terrible words [Luke 22:63-65], I found myself saying to Jesus, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Jesus. Forgive me!” I felt myself to be an actor here, not just a spectator. I was so much a part of that ugly gang that I knew I was as guilty as they were. I felt that if the rage of God should spill over onto those soldiers and sweep me away, too, justice would have been done. I wasn’t there, but their sin was my sin. It would not have been unjust for me to fall under their sentence. Has it ever bothered you that sometimes in the Old Testament when one man sins, many get swept away in the punishment God brings?  An analogy came to my mind. The hearts of humanity are like a molten mantle beneath the surface of the whole earth. The molten lava beneath the earth is the universal wickedness of the human heart—the rebellion against God and the selfishness toward people. Here and there a volcano of rebellion bursts forth which God sees fit to judge immediately. He may do so by causing the scorching, destructive lava to flow not only down the mountain which erupted, but also across the valleys which did not erupt, but which have the same molten lava of sin beneath the surface. The reason I confess the sin of beating Jesus, even though I wasn’t there, is that the same lava of rebellion is in my own heart. I have seen enough of it to know. So even though it does not burst forth in such a volcanic atrocity as the crucifixion, it is still deserving of judgment. If God had chosen to rain the lava of their evil back on their own heads and some of it consumed even me, I would not be able to fault God’s justice… How widely the lava of one person’s rebellion and judgment will flow lies in God’s hands alone. And I believe from Romans 8:28 that, even though the lava of recompense overtakes me at a distance from the volcano, there is mercy in it. I do not deserve to escape, for I know my own heart. But I trust Christ, and so I know the judgment will be turned to joy. Though he slay me, yet will I trust him. For precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

PRAYER:

From the Byzantine Rite Matins for Great and Holy Saturday, developed in the 4^th century and still used by the Eastern Orthodox church today.

Today the one who holds all creation in his hand is himself held in the tomb, a rock covers the One who covered the heavens with beauty, life has fallen asleep, Hades is seized with fear, and Adam is freed from his bonds. Glory to your work of salvation; through it you have accomplished the eternal Sabbath rest, and You grant us the gift of your holy resurrection.

MUSIC MEDITATION:

Jesus Paid It All. Kim Walker-Smith. Written by Elvina Hall in 1865.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Margot Wallace.

Have you ever had to face your Mother at the lowest point in your life? The embarrassment and shame experienced upon the recognition by another, especially by a parent, of one’s inescapable situation is sometimes beyond words.  The event of Jesus meeting his Mother took place on the road to Golgotha before Simon of Cyrene was compelled by the guards to carry his cross. Only their eyes meet as Jesus’ mother, Mary, acknowledges his scorching pain, now beyond his control. This is known by some as the 4th station of Jesus’ cross.  Here Mary remains resolute in remorsefulness of this predicted moment. Her heart is heavy and breaks with sorrow.  In loving awareness, she feels her child’s suffering. The picture below was painted on site at San Louis Rey mission in Oceanside. Mary and Jesus are life-size bronze statues in the front of the Mission.  They are portrayed in the painting as in real-life.

PRAYER:

A prayer for Good Friday from the PC USA Presbyterian Mission Agency.

Holy God, we remember Pilate’s question: What is truth? Now we have seen the truth: Jesus Christ, your Word made flesh, betrayed, denied, mocked and beaten, put to death on a cross, buried in the tomb. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy on us. We have seen the truth. But there is more … now show us the truth of your saving power; show us the way beyond the grave; show us the life that is everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

MUSIC MEDITATION:

Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?. Pegasis. The song is an American spiritual that was  first published  in 1899.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Jay Shailer, a contemporary pastor.

The parade is over. The singing and joyous celebrating are now just a memory from Sunday. The palms are all cleaned up, and the city of Jerusalem is quiet. Tonight, we get one last meal with Jesus. But, before the action picks up in Gethsemane tomorrow, we get one last lesson from our Lord. He tells us to love each other. He doesn’t just give it lip service. He gets down on his knees, pours water into a bowl, and washes the disciples’ dusty feet. This is the love he speaks about. Humble, lowly devotion to the ones you love. It’s a love that carries no glamour. It’s a love that gains you nothing other than sideways glances from others, who would never do something that is beneath them. Jesus is showing us that love is costly. But more importantly, it is holy. How we love each other echoes an eternity. It is how we identify ourselves as followers of Christ. It is our calling card for the world.

As we, the church, enter into the great three days of Christ’s death and resurrection, I pray we hear this one last lesson about our identity as citizens of God’s Heavenly Reign. People will know us by how we love each other. People will know. People will see where our hearts and our values are by how we fall to our knees and reach out in service to our neighbor. Our promise in Jesus’ resurrection is firm, and our call and identity are clear. When we get to the other side of the big celebration Sunday morning, and those decorations are cleaned up, and we go back out into the world, I pray that this identity shines brightly and clearly.

PRAYER:

Written by Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109), a Benedictine monk, abbot, philosopher and Christian theologian. He served as the archbishop of Canterbury from 1093-1109.

O blessed Lord, you have commanded us to love one another. Just as we have received your undeserved blessings, may we love everyone in you and for you. We ask your kindness for all, but especially for the friends whom your love has given to us. Love them, O fountain of love, and move them to love you with all their heart, that they may will, and speak, and do only those things which are pleasing to you. Our prayer is cold,  because our love is so feeble, but you are rich in mercy. Do what is best for them, according to your will,  that being ruled and protected by you always and everywhere;  to you, with the Father and the Holy Spirit,  be all honor and praise for ever and ever. Amen.

MUSIC MEDITATION:

God of Mercy and Compassion. Sherrin Sophia. The hymn was written by Edmund Vaughan in the 1700s and traditionally is set to the French tune Au Sang Qu’un Dieu by Giovanni Pergolesi.

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