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Glory Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

Now all the fullness of God, all the glory of God is in the face of Jesus Christ. Let’s look at that face.

We see that face of glory even as a child in the Bethlehem manger; then at the age of twelve, He speaks: Know ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? (Luke 2:49). Then as He was baptized in the River Jordan by John the Baptist, His face reflected the desire to become all that He is to be. Hear His words: Let it be now, for it is necessary to fulfill all
righteousness. (Matthew 3:15). See His face as He comes up straightway out of the water, lo, the hand and lo the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him, and lo, a voice from heaven saying, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:16-17). His face is that of strength as He fasted for forty days and then is tempted by Satan in the barren wilderness, unwavering as He declares, Man cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4).

The first open manifestation of this face in ministry is when He changes the water into wine at the wedding. This is a face full of joy and life, as the Bible declares: This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and his disciples believed on him. (John 2:11).

See His face as He looked at the leper distorted in pain, stretching forth His hand and touching him, speaking words ever so mighty: Be thou clean. (Mark 1:41).

The face of Jesus is looking up with passion at the sinner clinging to the sycamore tree: Come down; for today I must abide at thy house. (Luke 19:5). View, if you will, the face of love and understanding – – – reaching out to a troubled woman, making contact with the wayward by saying, Give me to drink. (John 4:7).

Oh, continue with me as the feet of Jesus are washed with the tears and dried by the hair of a sinner woman: Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she has loved much. Thy faith hath saved thee. (Luke 7:47, 50).

Note the same face is full of hurt and judgment as He entered the temple and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold the doves. My house shall be called a house of prayer; but ye made it a den of thieves. (Matthew 21:12, 13).

He saw the sick and healed them, the hungry and fed them, the sinful in repentance and forgave them.

See His face bathed in glory on the Mount of Transfiguration: And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistening, and they saw his glory. (Luke 9: 29, 32).

Oh, the face of our Lord covered in tears: And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it. (Luke 19:41).

Behold, in history’s darkest hour, Jesus, knowing the cross was before Him, turned not away; but when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem. (Luke 9:51).

Now we see His face in the dirt of Gethsemane: And he began to be sorrowful and very heavy. And said, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death; and he went a little further, and fell on his face and prayed, Oh my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. (Matthew 26:37, 38, 39, 42). And being in agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22:44).

I too weep and can hardly stand to see Thy face, bathed in the blood of sweat upon the rocky ground of Gethsemane. But I see more: Thy face bent over the feet of the disciples and Peter, as You poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel. (John 13:5).

Oh, but there is more; I wish not, but there is: Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands. and when they had blindfolded Him they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, Prophecy, who is it that smote Thee? (Matthew 26:67; Luke 22:64).

Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. Then they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And they plaited a crown of thorns, they put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand, and they bowed their knees before him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! And they put his own raiment on him and led him away and he, bearing his cross, went forth into a place called Golgotha, where they crucified him. (Matthew 27:28-31; John 19:1, 5, 17, 18).

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34). And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit; and he bowed his head and gave up the spirit. (Luke 23:46; John 19:30).

I weep — what more can be said about the face of Jesus? The softness of the face in the Bethlehem manger has become weather-beaten, tanned, tear-covered, beaten, spit upon, and adorned with a crown of thorns — as the blood clots on the face of the Son of God … we see His glory; and those holy eyes that saw, and wept, and helped those holy ears that heard; those lips that spoke… “Never a man spake like this.” That face… that face… the glory of God!

But . . . look again: That face . . Jesus, alive and living! Victorious over death, hell and the grave; standing outside the open tomb, smiling, loving, caring… that face — the face of Jesus. Mary said, I’ve seen the Lord. (John 20:18). The disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. (John 20:19). And Jesus said, Blessed are they that have not seen, yet have believed. (John 20:29). Then while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. Yet this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven. (Acts l:9,11).

So get ready! We know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is… face to face. (I John 3:2; I Corinthians 13:12).

Glory, glory, glory in the face of Jesus Christ our Lord!