He spoke it as though it were a done deal. Not if . . . not maybe . . . not I hope so . . . but I am. And it’s not like He didn’t know them . . . really well! As individuals they all could be kind of flakey . . . as a group they were anything but a cohesive team as some vied for “the best seat” . . . and in terms of being “top of their class” students . . . well let’s just say that repetition was required. But despite their short-comings . . . regardless of their human-ness . . . Jesus was certain of this . . . “I am glorified in them.”

Those five words in John 17 have evoked a bit of awe and wonder in me this morning. Here, Jesus is praying to the Father for His disciples and for those who would believe in Him after His departure. And, while interceding before His Father for His disciples, Jesus says,

“I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. All Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them.” (John 17:9-10 ESV)

And its those last five words that hit me . . . those last five words that cause me to whisper to myself, “Really?” . . . those last five words that humble me . . . those last five words that inspire me . . . “I am glorified in them.”

In this conversation with His Father, the Lord has mentioned being glorified a couple of times . . . “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son that the Son may glorify You” (17:1) . . . “Father, glorify Me in Your own presence with the glory that I had with You before the world existed” (17:5). And I read those verses and I think I get it . . . that Jesus, who humbled Himself and “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped” in order to fulfill His work as the Lamb of God, is looking beyond the cross to that time when He will rise from the dead, ascend to heaven, and again be arrayed in all His majesty and glory.

But Jesus looks not only heavenward to the glory that will be His there, but He looks upon this rag tag group of men who have followed Him and confidently asserts, “Yeah . . . in them too . . . in their human imperfection . . . I will be glorified on the earth, as well.” And I know that the disciples will turn the world upside down . . . and so maybe, I can get that too. But, if I extend it beyond just those guys, extend it to those who believe in Christ through their word (17:20) . . . extend it to me . . . well, “Really?”

Sure, He is glorified just by the fact of my salvation. Every soul saved is the result of the finished work of Christ on the cross and thus, every soul saved is a trophy of grace to His glory and praise. My readings in Revelation remind me that there is a multitude around the throne of God where the Lamb is in the midst — and this multitude worships continuously . . . loud voices . . . facedown worshipers . . . all giving glory to God and to His Son. Jesus’ confidence in John 17 is certainly realized through my salvation.

But what about that time between the salvation of my soul and my joining this heavenly throng . . . does Jesus really believe that He can be glorified in me as I seek to do life . . . to do the “pilgrim thing” day in and day out? I think so. And that humbles me . . . puts me in a state of awe and wonder. That the King of kings and the Lord of lords could somehow be glorified in me. Wow!! And I’m a bit overwhelmed . . . because I know who much work He has yet to do in me! But I also know that the work He begun in me He has committed to work to completion (Php. 1:6) . . . for His purposes . . . and, if I’m picking up what He’s laying down, for His glory.

And I’m up for it. I’m up for continuing to figure out how to be led by the Spirit and how to walk in the Spirit. I’m up for learning, by His grace, to unleash the power of the Spirit in my life and trusting that somehow in this work of making me what I can be in Him, that He will be glorified. I’m up for trying to discern how he wants me to live for Him . . . to serve Him . . . and, in that, somehow glorify Him.

Lord, be glorified in me!!