Soli Deo Gloria | Christ As The Glory of God
If, as we discussed in the previous post, does not point to the centrality of man but rather the glory of God, then surely the work of Christ would demonstrate the importance of man? After all, Christ’s purpose revolves around rescuing mankind from their sins. Yet, this type of thinking would vastly overestimate our importance to the story. Mankind’s role is the object of the affections of Jesus Christ, who will one day claim us as His bride and co-heir but mankind does not hold the place of honor and glory. That role will always belong to God who is seated on the throne. Christ looks to, even in our divine rescue, give glory to God. Everything in the works of Christ demonstrate the glory of God as the height of all creation worthy of all honor, glory, and praise.
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Hebrews 1:1-4, ESV
The writer of Hebrews makes the point abundantly clear that Jesus Christ, as the incarnate God made flesh, represents the glory of the Lord. The actions of Jesus, while they may be directed at mankind, stem from His nature as God and reveal the heart of our omnipotent, sovereign, and loving High King. Simply put, one cannot learn of the nature of Jesus Christ and conclude that mankind has become worthy of glory based on the merits of our own actions. As people encounter the risen Lord in authenticity, their response has been remarkably similar; praise and glory to God. Christ is the heir to the throne and thus worthy of all glory honor and praise. Thus, as we approach the approachable God, we do so in reverence as we give glory to Him who defeated death.
Christ On The Throne
Kings deserve glory as they reign over all that has been given to them. Thus, when people approach Kings they tend to bow in reverence of the one they have submitted to. Jesus is no exception to this. As our Great, High King, Jesus is the sovereign ruler over all creation who rules from the throne room of Heaven at the right hand of the Father. Revelation 5 describes the scene of heaven where Jesus Christ is worthy to reign over all creation and the response of the angelic beings is praise and glory. As the incarnate God, Christ receives the glory as the fullness of God dwells within Him and He displays the nature of God to the world. He brings salvation, redemption, and intercession for mankind and seeks to redeem those who once stood against Him.
While Kings do care about their subjects and those who submit to them, ultimately, though, the glory belongs to the King, not to those whom the King reigns over. Thus, for Christ, as the rightful heir to the throne, the focus and glory of all creation stems from Christ’s incarnate nature. Jesus Christ is fully God and thus rightfully receives all glory. As the one who stands before the Father testifying on our behalf, the fullness of all creation points to the glory of God. Every ounce of Jesus Christ is God and His works displays both the sovereignty of God and His might to save all people. He stood before the creation of time and will reign into eternity over all creation.
Freedom in Christ’s As the Head
Consider for a moment, the weight and responsibility that falls the one who must hold the stars in their own hands and maintain the demands of the universe. Or the one who must govern with both grace and justice the rebellious people while upholding the fabric of existence. As we discussed in Solus Christus, Jesus Christ is uniquely qualified to serve as our Prophet, Priest, and King as both God and man. “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Colossians 1:17-20, ESV) The glory of God has its foundation from Jesus Christ, the glory of God, who reigns over and before all things. Jesus points to Himself as the Savior of the world and by His mighty hands, the world is saved.
Paul writes to the church in Galatia “‘For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”‘ (Galatians 5:1, ESV). Christ does not seek to bring glory to mankind but to glorify mankind through the glory that originates in Jesus Christ. First and foremost, the glory belongs to Jesus Christ and only when we find our identity rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ will we even begin to taste a hint of glory. Freedom in Christ means freedom from ourselves. It is freedom from our wants, desires, and egocentric need to be at the center of discussion to allow God to be our source of life. We cannot persist under the weight and responsibility of God who alone is worth to receive the glory. Submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and giving Him the glory, rather than ourselves, frees us from the responsibility of needing to be God and allows us to rest fully in His glorious presence.
