Sermon nuggets Tues Oct 14
Theme- Prayer
Verse: John 17:1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.
Pray for Glory
As Jesus prayed to His Father He looked heavenward. If prayer was a ritual there would proper postures of prayer. As a child my mother taught me to get on my knees and bow my head and close my eyes. It was to represent humility and respect. It was to keep my attention on God and not wandering eyes on things around my room. It was to represent my sincerity.
In church and at the kitchen table it was acceptable to bow one’s head with closed eyes. Many will hold their hands together in a sign of pleading (and to keep from poking your neighbor or playing with something during children’s church).
Real conversation with God can be expressed however we feel if it is personal. Jesus does not bow His head, does not knell, does not apparently fold His hands, but is having a heartfelt conversation with His Father who is in heaven. Yet those postures are recorded in other places. The heart is what prays.
What was on the heart of Jesus was to glorify His Father by taking on the responsibility of the cross. His delight was to do what the Father wanted Him to do. His delight was to bring glory to the name of the Lord. Just as He reminded Nicodemus of the bronze serpent what was lifted up on the pole in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up and glorified that all would look upon Him for their salvation. Jesus is to be honored for carrying out the plan the Father had for the Son. The Father is to be honored and glorified for the plan to save the world.
Atheist Christopher Hitchens attacks the cross. He says “Christianity is not only untrue but immoral. It offers vicarious redemption. You are told that by applauding a horrific human sacrifice that took place 1,000s of years ago, to fulfill a prophecy in which you had no say, condemns you eternally if you do not accept that, or offers you a chance that your own sins can be forgiven you… To be exempt from any of our crimes or sins without personal responsibility should be rejected by anyone with self respect.”
Professor Hitchens has rejected the plan of God for our salvation. Jesus embrace the plan and saw it for what it was-glory to the Father to save the world and provide an escape from the consequences of sin. It was justice and love combined that allowed Jesus to take the path the Father prepared for Him and even counted that as joy amidst the suffering. If Christopher Hitches desires to pay for his own sins and not allow Jesus death to be his substitute God allows that. He will face his own consequences. But God came up with a better idea for us.
There were a number of times when Jesus told His followers that His time had not yet come. He would explain that according to the divine timetable preparation must be done before certain actions could be accomplished and the cross was the greatest of events that was prepared long ago at a time known to the Father. Now the time is right. Now the events begin. Now curtain goes up that the unveiling of the glory of the Father and His plan will be demonstrated far greater than any other miracle previously preformed.
Jesus preached, He taught his disciples, He trained them, He declared his power over Satan. Now at the time Passover when people killed the best lambs to cover their sins, the Lamb of God was to be slain to take all sin away to all who will receive Christ. He is the gift.
In your prayer today, how would it be that God gets the glory? Offering yourself to be used by Him. Live in according to His word and will. Do what He asks of you. Be diligent to the call and gifts God has given to you. Love Him and love others. Show patience. Speak the truth in love. Is that your prayer?
Jesus’ delight was to give glory to His Father and His Father honored that.
Pastor Dale
