Glory - Pastor's Pen for 11th October 2026
As we make our way through a sermon series on the Gospel of John, chapter 17 swirls with the themes of unity, love and God's glory. Glory is a complex word to pin down. The Shorter Oxford Dictionary reads; "Exalted praise, honour or admiration, accorded by common consent to a person or thing." This is but one of ten shades of meaning listed.
It is right that in the church, we agree to give glory to God. But we are kidding ourselves if we think we fully understand what that means. I appreciate a rousing hymn of praise as much as anyone, but I often find myself reflecting on God's glory when I observe the small, unimpressive things of creation like raindrops settling on a tiny fern, or a Pīwakawaka eyeing me from a branch in the bush. They reveal the delight of the Creator in little details.
Jesus prayed for his followers, just before his arrest, trial and execution; "Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world."
If we think glory is all about triumph and wonder, we should remember that Jesus' path to glory led first along the unimpressive road to the cross, and through very difficult things. God's glory was revealed in the undesirable and even horrific events of the crucifixion. His disciples and future followers of the way, were invited into similar lives of self-giving.
In this neighbourhood, God's glory will be revealed in small things, challenges, difficult conversations and even great sacrifice. Our own cross-shaped journeys will bring us into the experience of God's glory, in God's own time. Shalom
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