Behold the Glory of the Lord and Be Transformed
Pastor Robert Zemke
Advent is a time of joyful anticipation, marking the four weeks leading up to and celebrating the birth of Christ. It invites us to reflect on the significance of waiting on God and beholding the Prince of Peace. Throughout history, people have eagerly awaited this promise. In the Old Testament, hints of His arrival began as early as Genesis 3:15, where it foretold that God would defeat the evil one.
While Christ has already come to bring hope and salvation to the world through His death and resurrection, leading to the Holy Spirit's arrival at Pentecost, we also look forward to His second coming when all believers will dwell with him for eternity. So, what does it mean to be waiting for Christ’s return? We are in a time called "already not yet." It means that while we celebrate Christ's first coming and look forward to His return, we yearn for God's presence now while we navigate this space between Christ's first and second arrivals. As we wait on God and behold Christ we are transformed.
2 Corinthians 3:18 states that, "We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." As we behold the glory of Christ in His life and work, we are transformed more into His likeness. This journey of transformation unfolds as we keep our eyes focused on Him. The more we embrace His grace and truth, the more we reflect His character.
In another part of 2 Corinthians, it states, "For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). Just as God created light, God brings his glory into darkened hearts by His Spirit. God shines his light in our hearts to dispel the darkness as we see the face of Christ, and hear the gospel preached. This transformation occurs as we move "from glory to glory." The first "glory" refers to the moment we first turned to God and began to grasp His love. The ultimate "glory" will be revealed when we see Christ in His fullness on the final day. Together, we pray God's presence will be known on earth like in heaven.
Whatever trial or difficulty we are facing, no matter how bad it may seem, we can trust God's word when it says, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
Behold Him this season and be transformed.