Since God is jealous for his glory, we likewise must be jealous for his glory
Last week we saw that God originally created humanity for glory, and that glory is good.
We are not the only ones who express our glory for the sake of our own joy and others’ admiration. God supremely delights to express his glory for his own joy and the admiration and pleasure of his creation.
In the book The End for Which God Created the World, theologian Jonathan Edwards argues that God’s ultimate purpose in all his works is to display his infinite glory—preeminently his redeeming love and grace in Jesus Christ—and receive the worship this glory deserves.
Glory is divine. Glory is the hinge of God’s purposes in creation. It is the hub of the wheel, the fulcrum of the lever, the axis of the globe, the prize of the race.
Triumphing over Satan
Glory is why Satan was playing his best card when he offered Jesus the kingdoms of the world. It is why Satan, who lost more glory through his fall than anyone ever has, craved worship.
And it was Jesus’ glory flatly to refuse him. “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve’” (Mat. 4:10). The glory of Jesus Christ is he did not fall as Adam and Israel fell. Jesus—the Second Adam and the true Israel—believed and obeyed his Father’s words. This was his glory. In both his divinity and humanity he “loved righteousness and hated wickedness” (Heb. 1:9).
He would not give God’s glory to another. (God told Israel, “My glory I will not give to another” [Isa. 48:11]). This was Jesus’ great glory. He proved to be true. He is worthy to be God’s unique Son and our only Savior, for above all else he sought the glory of his Father.
As Jesus wrestled with the thought of suffering for our sins, he said, “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name” (John 12:27–28). What happened next is important. “Then a voice came from heaven: ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again’” (John 12:28).
Mighty in battle
David prophesied about the glory of Jesus, and that glory includes his victory in battle against God’s enemies:
“Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory!” (Psa. 24:7–10, italics added)
When Jesus overcame Satan’s temptations, he showed himself mighty in battle. The ancient doors were lifted for the King of glory.