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
Jesus said, "Where I am." Doesn't He mean, "Where I will be soon"? Ultimately, yes. But there is an interesting turn-of-phrase in Greek. "Where I am" and “behold my glory” are present active verbs, not future. In other words, they are in the moment of glory right now…though they can’t see it.
What glory did Christ have at that moment? What glory could there possibly be in the hour of His great humiliation? Think of it, He was on the very borders of the valley of death! That would be the last place any could behold any glory. But in a sense, Christ was praying,
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 understand something clearly at last of My Crown descending on my humanity. When they see this moment for what it is, their sorrow will be tuned to 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 hidden glory in His humiliation. There was kingness in His serving, greatness in His humility, and a crowning, even in His cross. Can you bow before that glory? Can you adore the Power of that strength which could bear the burden of His own without complaint, and the sins of His people without losing His love?
Then you have seen His glory, even in His darkest hour.