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Daily Devotions

Matthew

Matthew 
Day 
Day 305

The Hidden Glory of Jesus

Text: Matthew 25 : 31 - 46

Few recognized Jesus for who He really was! As He donned flesh in His Incarnation, of necessity, He had to set aside the glory that was rightfully His! The few wise and discerning ones however saw in His miracles the glory that was otherwise hidden from the multitudes. John, one of the original Twelve Apostles wrote about that glory in his gospel.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten
of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
JOHN 1:14

That glory of Jesus was manifested in the grace that exuded from His Person. That glory was also manifested in the way He proclaimed and taught the Truth.

John reveled in the glory of Jesus. He could see beyond the mere physical dimension of the miracles He performed. Each miracle manifested the glory of Jesus.

“This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee,
and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.”
JOHN 2:11

THE EXPRESSED GLORY OF JESUS

By and large, few saw the glory of Jesus, despite the fact that He had performed so many wondrous miracles! If only the multitudes could see beyond the superficial, they too would have caught sight of the glory that John and his fellow-disciples saw in Jesus! The scribes and Pharisees certainly did not see the glory of Jesus. They were of the opinion that He was in league with the prince of demons (Cf. Matthew 9:34; 12:24).

All contrary opinions will change with the Return of the Son of Man – the main event in the eschatological complex.

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory,
and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit
on the throne of His glory.”
MATTHEW 25:31

This statement was an extension of a word that He spoke to His disciples earlier.

“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven,
and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn,
and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven
with power and great glory.”
MATTHEW 24:30

Both texts agree on an essential point. When Jesus returns to earth, He will not appear as a humble itinerant Teacher. He will return in great power and glory.

THE CONCEPT OF THE GLORIOUS SON OF MAN

Jesus was not unduly exalting Himself when He said what He did. Let us look at some of the ancient prophetic texts that touched on the glorious Son of God.

“I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for your possession.'”
PSALM 2:7-8

1. A Divine Decree

It was God Himself who declared or revealed the eternal Sonship of Jesus! The glory of Jesus was therefore mandated by none other than the Lord God Himself.

2. A Divine Boon

The Lord expressed openly His desire to give to His Son Jesus all that He wished for! Even if Jesus asked for “the ends of the earth”. He would not be denied!

THE RETURN OF JESUS IN FULL POWER AND GLORY

The context of what Jesus said concerning Himself may be traced all the way back to Daniel the prophet.

“I was watching in the night visions,
And behold, One like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!
He came to the Ancient of Days,
And they brought Him near before Him.
Then to Him (The Son of Man) was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
Which shall not pass away,
And His kingdom the one
Which shall not be destroyed.”
DANIEL 7:13-14

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory…”

The glory of Jesus that had always been His would now be wondrously manifested! Nobody could mistake that glory! Nobody would be so brazen as to deny His glory when He returns!

“And all the holy angels with Him…”

What a majestic sight that would be! No one had ever seen such glory before! What a thrilling sight to look forward to seeing at the return of the Son of Man! But we cannot afford to wait till Jesus returns in His glory to acknowledge Him. That decision would be too late! Let Jesus into your heart today. Ask Him to be your Saviour now!