Glory in the Darkest Hour
"Father, I will that they also whom Thou hast given me be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which Thou hast given me." John 17:24
"Where I am”? Doesn't He mean, "Where I will be"? Ultimately, yes, but there is an important turn-of-phrase in Greek. "Where I am" and "behold my glory" are both present active verbs, not future tenses. In other words, they are in the moment of glory, though veiled.
What glory did Christ have at that moment? What glory could there be in the hour of His humiliation? He was on the very borders of the valley of the shadow of death! That would be the last place any could behold any glory. But in a way, Christ was saying,
"Father, I wish that these whom Thou hast given Me, see My great humiliation. That they would see this sacrifice as it really is...the hour of My greatest triumph. I want them to come so near to My heart, that they see the light of the crown descending on my humanity. When they see this moment for what it is, their sorrow will become joy."
Was there an actual exaltation in Christ's humiliation? Of a kind. His glory was in His power to bear. When He said, "Father, the hour is come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son may glorify Thee," He did not ask to be delivered from His hour but to be given strength in His hour. To take the cup with a hand that did not tremble. To say with a voice that did not falter, "Not as I will, but as Thou wilt." That is a glory beyond understanding. So there was a victory, even in His humiliation. There is glory to behold even in His darkest hour. Jesus won by losing.
There was kingness in His servanthood,
strength in His weakness,
greatness in His humility,
and a crown in His cross.
Can you bow before the majesty of that rod and staff which comforted Him in the valley of the shadow? Can you adore the omnipotence of that strength which could bear the burden of His elect without complaint and the sins of His people without losing His love for a moment? Then you have seen His glory, even in His darkest hour.