“When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee.”
(John 17:1)
God’s great design in creating the world and ordaining all things is singular in its end: the glorification of Himself through the revelation of Himself. Though we may distinguish between God’s desire to communicate Himself and His purpose to glorify Himself, these are not two separate, unrelated goals but rather one undivided will. And this unified aim is made manifest supremely and perfectly in His Son, Jesus Christ.
In the works of creation, we perceive His eternal power and Godhead (Rom. 1:20), but it is in Christ that the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily (Col. 2:9). General revelation declares there is a God; special revelation declares who He is. But the incarnate Word—Jesus Christ—makes the invisible God known in a way creation and even Scripture, on their own, cannot. “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him” (John 1:18). In Christ, God draws back the veil.
The apostle John confirms that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and that in beholding Him we see glory, “the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). The eternal design was to glorify God by revealing God through the Son, and the Son’s life, obedience, death, resurrection, and exaltation bring that to pass. The Son glorifies the Father. The Father glorifies the Son. This mutual glorification essentially flows from the infinite love and unity of the Godhead.
Hebrews 1:3 declares Christ to be “the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person.” He is not a reflection but the radiance. He is not a copy but the very substance. His life revealed the character of God. His obedience fulfilled the will of God. His words declared the mind of God. His works displayed the power of God. His sacrifice satisfied the justice of God. His resurrection magnified the truth of God. His reign now manifests the majesty of God.
Every decree of God finds its end in the exaltation of Christ and the revelation of the Father’s glory. Paul says that all things are summed up in Him (Eph. 1:10), and that the eternal purpose was purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Eph. 3:11). R.C. Sproul’s words remind us that we are not properly moved by divine majesty until we contrast our smallness with His greatness.[1] That is to say, the more clearly we see Christ, the more fully we see ourselves as dependent, finite, and desperately in need of redemption.
If the great design of God is to glorify Himself through the Son, and if the Son reveals the Father, then every act of God’s providence is to be understood through Christ. From creation to final judgment, from Adam to the New Jerusalem, from Genesis to Revelation—this design is constant. The Gospel is therefore a revelation of the eternal purpose of the triune God unfolded in time.
To see this is to understand why the world exists, why we were made, and why the cross stands at the center of all things. The world was made for Christ, governed by Christ, and is to be reconciled by Christ. And in Him, the Father is glorified.
Contemplations:
- Christ above all. Lord Jesus, You are Head of all things. Revelation 3:14 says that You are “the beginning of the creation of God.” Colossians 1:15 adds that You are the “firstborn of every creature.” You are the head of angels (Col. 2:10) and the head of men (Col. 1:18). You are the head of the church. You rule and reign over all, and are glorified by the Father, now being the One who sits at His right hand that all may adore Your redemption and Your glorious nature.
- Christ rules the world. Lord, Your design in all the works of creation is to glorify Your Son, and through Him to glorify Yourself. Help me see this clearly, for all things were created for You. The world was made for Christ, and I am part of that world. In Christ’s hands You have committed both the creation and government of the world. Help me yield to that government, and to glorify God in all things.
- God’s purpose in all things. When I consider the chief end of my being and the reason You created the world, I see that Scripture teaches Your rightful place of glory. I see that Your work of redemption is the grand design of history, which is to glorify Yourself in Your Son. All Your decrees are spoken of in Scripture as one purpose which You purposed in Christ Jesus (Eph. 1:9-11). Every revelation, every prophecy, every praise in Scripture all point to Your covenant of redemption. Help me contemplate this further, that I might apprehend even a small part of Your glory and majesty.
Prayer (Supplication):
Lord of all glory, I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ, the One whom You have glorified, the One through whom You have revealed Yourself. The world spins by His will. The heavens declare His power. The church lives by His grace. And I, a creature of dust, ask for light. Open my eyes to the weight of Your eternal purpose. Let me not stumble in the dark of man-centered theology or shallow religion. Grant me understanding that I may see Christ as the design, the substance, and the center of all Your works.
Let my soul burn with love for the One who bore my sins. Let my heart be stirred by the glory You have set in His face. And let me not live as if the world existed for me. You have said that all things are for Christ. Make that truth live in me. Make it govern my thoughts, my desires, my actions.
You have placed all authority in His hands. Help me submit, Lord. You have made Him Head over all. Help me obey. You have exalted Him above every name. Help me speak of Him without shame. Let me be a vessel of Your design, one through whom Christ is made known and Your glory displayed. Keep me from pride, which exalts man and obscures You. Guard me from apathy, which treats Your majesty as common. And above all, keep me from unbelief, which calls You a liar.
Grant that I may see each day as part of the unfolding purpose which You purposed in Christ. Let me not despair in suffering, but trust that even pain serves Your glory. Let me not boast in strength, but lean wholly on Christ who is my wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Help me break down every idol and burn up every excuse. Make me a servant of Your Son.
You have made Him known. Let me proclaim Him. You have glorified Him. Let me magnify Him. You have exalted Him. Let me bow before Him with joy.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for John 17:1:
John 12:23, Luke 3:21, John 11:4, 13:32, Acts 7:55.
[1] R. C. Sproul, ed., The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2015), 1606.
