In I Corinthians 2:8 Paul calls Jesus the Lord of Glory. The dictionary defines the word “glory” as awesome splendor and astounding beauty. When something is glorious it is supreme. The physical glory of the North American continent has to be Yosemite Valley. The glory of political philosophy is without a doubt the American Constitution which has become a model for so many other nations. The glory of the English language is the King James Version of the Bible and the works of Shakespeare. Each arena has its best, its glory. Jesus is the Lord of Glory. Garner together all the items of glory one can imagine and then Jesus is the Lord of all that. He is the glory of the Father. He is the glory of the universe.
Angels sang the night He was born in Bethlehem. They marveled that the creator of the universe would become one of His created. The idea is gloriously staggering to the mind. After Adam and Eve fell the plan of redemption was announced to heaven. Angels objected and volunteered themselves. But that was not to be. Jesus created us and Jesus would personally take responsibility for us. When He breathed His last breath upon the cross the universe was stunned into silence. How could it be? How could such glory be so debased by humans?
Our imaginations cannot plumb the intellectual depths or ascend to the emotional heights of the glorious chorale anthems sung with passion and counterpoint when Jesus rose from the grave.
“Lift up your heads, you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory.” Psalm 24
Written by Roger Bothwell on May 6, 2013
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org