Many things loose the significance of the moment unless you realize that that moment has come. When Jesus headed to the Passover festival, one of these defining moments occurred. What most see as one of these moments did not have the effect shown by the Lord as the moment which did have that effect. All of us have heard of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This was Not His glory!!
The events in the life of Christ were known to Him and were prearranged (what is mostly called, predestination). He literally came to play out a role agreed upon between He and the Godhead before the beginning of time. Not to be ignored but understood in the effect this incident had on our Lord, this occurrence was far more important, than others.
Most have spent a lot of time on the triumphal entry into Jerusalem while seemingly none have paid too much attention Christ On His way to the celebration, the Passover, certain Greeks came up to one of His disciples named Philip. These were Jews who had come to the festivities and heard of Jesus and wanted to see Him. The curiosity of these Greeks is not to be condemned, for people have always wanted to see famous men. On some of these occasions the results have been profitable. The great crowd that came together on the day of Pentecost were greatly benefited by the preaching they heard. Acts 2:1-41 Many people now go to preaching through curiosity, and are convinced by what they hear. The name Philip is Greek, as is also the name Andrew. These Greeks must have known Philip, else they would not have known that he was a disciple of Jesus, for Jesus was not present when they questioned Philip. Philip first conferred with his brother Andrew. Philip and Andrew then went to Jesus with the request publicly. (We are never told, by the way, that Jesus ever honored this request!) What this set in motion has not been given the importance due it.
Immediately, Jesus went into what seems a prepared speech for Philip and Andrew and they who were present. “The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.” John 12:23 If you and I let the religious world tell us what glorified Christ and shut our ears to what is actually said to have glorified Christ, we will not appreciate what He considered His glory, but what is important to them!! Christ would be glorified when the Holy Spirit would descend to baptize the apostles as evidence He had completed the covenanted made with Deity!!. John 7:37-39 Peter states this truth in his sermon on the day the Holy Spirit came in miraculous fashion, baptized the twelve (not the 120), and the world first heard the “plan of salvation” In his sermon Peter stated: “Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this, which you now see and hear.” Acts 2:33 In a striking illustration Christ sets forth the truth that first He must die!! Unfortunately, this is contrary to what most of the erudite believe. They teach that Christ did not want to die and begged the Father to allow Him to escape death by crucifixion. Christ exclaims the opposite!! The world wants to see Me? But, I MUST die, first!! The shame and agony of Calvary was His glory and that for which He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane!! John 17:1-4 Here, Jesus explains WHY!! He HAD COME TO DIE. “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit.” John 12:24 Christ did not intend to go home empty handed, die alone!! He intended to bring into existence that which would “bear much fruit!! Isaiah 53:11 Paul writes: “For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He that sanctifies (the Purchaser) and the they (His bride, the Church of Christ) that are sanctified are all of one (Ephesians 5:28-30) for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren. Saying, I will declare Thy name (message, gospel, doctrine) unto My brethren, in the midst of the church (the purchased possession) will I sing praise unto Thee. And again, I will put My trust (Acts 2::25-28 “For David speaks concerning Him, I foresaw the Lord always before My face; for He is on My right hand-My power and strength to be able to do as covenanted-that I should not be moved (change what is covenanted): Therefore did My heart rejoice (does this sound like a Being who was trying to get out of to what He agreed)and my tongue was glad”) in Him (the Father)” Hebrews 2:11-13; 10:7 CHRIST CAME TO DIE, DIEING WOULD GLORIFY HIM THE CHURCH is His glory!
