SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 43
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory… The glory of the LORD filled the temple. [Ezekiel 43:2,5]
The temple was impressive architecture, but that is not where it’s true glory was.
The true glory of the temple was in the glorious presence of God.
This is true for everything in creation, including us; God’s glory is revealed through the so-called ‘ordinary’, if we have eyes to see it.
It is because of sin that we fall short of the glory of God [Romans 3:23], but we were created (and by grace saved) to reveal His glory [2 Corinthians 3:17-18].
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. [Matthew 17:1-3]
Here we see God’s glory revealed in the living temple of Jesus’ body.
Jesus gives these disciples a sneak peak at His true glory, mush the same as Ezekiel gets a sneak peak at the glory of God in the temple.
Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” [Matthew 17:4-5]
The problem with Peter’s response is that he was turning God’s glory in Jesus into a religious spectacle; built some shelters to house these ‘holy people’ and make people come to worship at this new ‘holy place.
But God is not looking for this kind of worship; the kind of worship God desires is reverence and obedience, to do what He says!
When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. [Matthew 17:6-8]
If we really knew God, and saw Him in His glory; we would fall facedown dead.
By grace God veils His glory so that we can relate with Him.
Though fear is the natural response to the greatness and glory of God, He does not want us to fear Him but love and obey Him.
We should never forget the unapproachable glory of God, but we should also know that His desire is for us to approach Him.
Yes, the holy, glorious, unapproachable God wants to walk in His garden with us [Genesis 3:8]!
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for revealing Your glory to us in mediated form, so that we may see God and live! Help me to see Your glory all around me!