John 13:31-33 - The Glorification of the Son of Man

John 13:31-33

31 Therefore when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; 32 if God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately. 33 Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’

Message: The Glorification of the Son of Man

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: After the feet washing, at the supper prior to the Feast of the Passover, Jesus had been around the table with the disciples and announced that one of them would betray Him. Though he does not call him by name He does signal it by dipping a morsel and passing it to Him. And then in verse 31 it says, "Therefore when he had gone out" or when Judas had willingly, on his own, left their group. He had been exposed and so there was no longer a need for him to stay a part of the group. His deeds would be made known and Satan had also entered Him and therefore His presence also with that group is not appropriate. 

Now moving on to the crux of this passage and words by Jesus of

Now is the Son of Man glorified

God is glorified in Him

if God is glorified in Him, 

God will also glorify Him in Himself, 

and will glorify Him immediately. 

Little children, I am with you a little while longer. 

You will seek Me; 

and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’

"Now" starts verse 31 and Jesus' words. As if, it all comes down to this. This is the time now for Jesus to be glorified, the Son of Man, as He refers to Himself. The betrayal was a part of it, signaling in a way this glorification that will now occur - when Jesus will go to the cross to bear man's sin and God will lift Him up, raising Him from the dead and sealing the fate of God's chosen ones. Alexander MacLaren (1826-1910) mentions a triple glorification: the Son of Man glorified in His Cross; God glorified in the Son of Man; and the Son of Man glorified in God. 

By saying "Now is the Son of Man Glorified" it feels like Jesus is saying that now, the Son of Man will fulfill His mission. As if, this has been the point of His life all along. He has mentioned this several times in His ministry, in His journey's. As even as He had been troubled by it occurring (13:21) as He was going to experience pain, the pulling in of the cross to Himself was His mission. It reminds me of a birth which women will often not look forward to because they know their will be pain in that delivery, in that pregnancy and yet their is such a great anticipation in bringing that child into the world. There will be a culmination. 

This glorification will (1) bear the curse that sinners deserve at the Cross, (2) witness Jesus conquering death, (3) uses the worlds despised tool of death for the means of defeating death, (4) and reveals the great love of God. 

The glory which is mentioned is an interesting word to me for Jesus in speaking these words seems to be signaling something and that it is the ultimate calling on His life, on our lives - to glorify God. And what greater glory is there than to redeem mankind - to make a way for man to be saved, once for all.  Jesus has been walking the earth, sharing His message, helping people see the Love of God and that Jesus is sent by God and has all the source of salvation that is needed and yet in this act on the cross His need for walking on the earth will no longer be needed. Nothing more will be needed. Animal sacrifices is no longer needed. 

God has sent His Son and now He is glorified. Romans 3:25 speaks clearly of what occurs, "whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed." Sins have been passed over. The ultimate Passover has occurred. 

It amazes me how we walk through life, engage in activity, take care of ourselves, live for ourselves, seek enjoyment in our activities - continue to walk through life - and yet this most incredible moment in history has occurred in God rescuing mankind from their sins. Maybe it is not as prominent in my life. Maybe I miss it is the issue and maybe I am too busy in other activities. Maybe the problem is me and my need for this to be ultimate event of life - the greatest moment.  

And God is now going to be glorified in this glory. It reads, "God will also glorify Him in Himself." The ultimate glory of God for which all of life seems to be about will happen now in this act. 

• Hebrews 1:3 - He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature
• John 1:14 - And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory
• Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
• 1 Corinthians 10:31 - So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
• 1 Chronicles 16:24 - Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
• 1 Chronicles 29:11 - Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.
• Isaiah 42:8 - “I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.”
• Isaiah 6:3 - And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
• Psalm 72:19 - Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!
• Romans 11:36 - For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

All for God's glory is life. Been speaking with a man this past week who says Jesus and the Bible is all fake and made up. He says that Jesus was created at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. It is all a fabrication and something just to control people. For his sake, I hope he is right. Because he has no interest in a holy God. And from what I read, it is all about God. I think this is the offense now of mankind that life remains about God. People want it to be about themselves instead, but we hold firm that it is all about Him. 

Finally, in verse 33 of this passage, Jesus returns to the disciples and with endearing words calls them "Little Children." He lets them know that He will be with them a little longer. He sort of consoles them realizing that maybe there will be a challenge to their lives without him directly around. The life that we live in now in which it seems life would be easier if Jesus was present physically in our lives. But rather than consider, let me just consider the words of Jesus here to his disciples setting the stage for them to seize the day and to enjoy the presence that they have with Him. 

He remarks that "Where I am going, you cannot come.’" Jesus will be returning to the Father and no one has seen God and lived. Psalm 24:3, "Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place?"

Summary: History to date culminates in Jesus being glorified when the Son of Man fulfills His mission for mankind with God receiving Glory and Jesus returning to the Father in Heaven. 

Promise: In the atoning death of Jesus is revealed the glory of our triune God, and if we do not preach the cross, then we are failing to glorify our Creator.

Prayer: Lord God, you are Holy and yet You sent us Jesus so that we can see you and behold you as our Lord and Savior God. Thank you for the testimony Lord of knowing this and what matters most in life - to know You and follow You. Thank you for the peace and hope that is found in you and for making sense of this life. 

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