Do you see the Glory of God?
John the Baptist had God ordained the purpose of preparing people for the arrival of Jesus Christ the Messiah. John’s father Zechariah prophesied that the sunrise was about to happen, that light would swallow up darkness and reveal God’s mercy and grace and our desperate need for Him and His grace. This fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy of the way that all flesh would see the Glory of God, but what does it mean to see the Glory of God. Do we see the Glory of God?
Scripture
Isaiah 40:3-5 ESV A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
Luke 1:76-80 ESV And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” 80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
Bible Study Questions
Isaiah 40:3 predicts that God will send someone ahead of His Messiah to prepare the hearts of His people. How do we know that John the Baptist was the messenger that fulfilled this prophecy? (John 1:23)
What was the context of the way through the wilderness spoken of by Isaiah as it related to the Babylonian Exile?
How did John fulfil this prophecy in a spiritual way 700 years later? (Luke 3:2-3)
What did John call people to do, to prepare their hearts for the arrival of Jesus Christ? (Luke 3:10-14)
Moses was 80 years old when God spoke to Him in the burning bush. After seeing God’s miracles in freeing the people of Israel from Egypt, the Red Sea crossing and spending 40 days on the Mountain of God recording His commandments, Moses asks to see God’s Glory. What does God reveal? (Exodus 34:5-8)
The Apostle John writes that they saw the Glory of God revealed in Jesus Christ as He walked the earth, suffered and died, and was raised to life for our reconciliation to God. How do we begin to see God’s Glory? (1 Peter 1:19-21)
The prophet Malachi talks about a future time when all flesh will see God’s Glory in the return of Jesus Christ (Malachi 3:1-4). How can we prepare for that day?
Prayer
Dear Father God Almighty, Thank You that we can see Your Glory in the pages of Your Word, the Holy Scriptures. Thank You that we can see Your Glory in the life, death and resurrection pf our Lord Jesus Christ, and Thank You that we can see Your Glory in our own lives as we trust and obey You. Father please empower us by Your Holy Spirit to devote ourselves to the Scripture and to working on our relationship with You so that we will be ready for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Please open our eyes to the wonder of Your grace and mercy and let us gaze on Your amazing Glory. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Worship
Oh Jesus, son of God, so full of grace and truth
The Father's saving word, so wonderful are You
The angels longed to see and prophets searched to find
The glory we have seen revealed
You shone upon the Earth but who will understand?
You came unto Your own but who will recognize?
Your birth was prophesied, for You were the Messiah
Who came and walked upon the Earth
Your glory we have seen, the one and only King
And now You're living in our hearts
Light of the world, light of the world
Light of the world, You shine upon us
Light of the world, light of the world
Light of the world, You shine upon us
In You all things were made and nothing without You
In Heaven and on Earth all things are held in You
And yet You became flesh, living as one of us
Under the shadow of the cross
Where, through the blood You shed
You have made peace again
Peace for the world that God so loves
Light of the world, light of the world
Light of the world, You shine upon us
Light of the world, light of the world
Light of the world, You shine upon us
Light of the world, light of the world
Light of the world, You shine upon us
Light of the world, light of the world
Light of the world, You shine upon us
And yet You became flesh, living as one of us
Under the shadow of the cross
Where, through the blood you shed
You have made peace again
Peace for the world that God so loves
Light of the world, light of the world
Light of the world, You shine upon us
Light of the world, light of the world
Light of the world, You shine upon us
Service
All flesh will see the Glory of God, either in His mercy or in His righteous judgement of sin and rebellion. We may not have much time to share the wonder of the Gospel of Jesus with those around us, we do not know when He will return. Let’s pray for the Lord Jesus to inspire us to spend time in His presence and then to provide opportunities this Christmas to share what Jesus has done for us.