When I read the account of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, I sometimes imagine what the donkey thought of the whole experience. Now give me some literary license here as I stretch my imagination a bit. Here is this young colt employed to carry the Son of God into Jerusalem. This was a prophetic time for sure and a huge crowd gathered for the occasion. There were shouts of “Hosanna” to the Messiah, cloaks were placed on the ground for the donkey to walk on, and palm branches waved in adoration as he placed. I wonder, did the donkey think it was all about him? Are you chuckling as I am? I can identify with the donkey. So many times, I forget that I am just a messenger and not the Message; that I am a carrier of God’s glory and not the essence of His glory.
Although the dictionary defines glory as great praise, splendor, or honor, the Bible extends this definition by describing glory as the presence of God, the Holy Spirit, a manifestation of His power, and so much more. Here are some Scriptures that show these distinctions: Isaiah 66:18, “…the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory.” (Presence); John 17:22, “And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one.” (Holy Spirit); Psalms 63:2, “So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.” (Power). As I have studied about the glory of God, I am more and more amazed with the multifaceted nature of this word. It is the visible expression of the invisible. It is not mere words when we say: “glory to God!”.
As we behold God’s glory, we are being changed into His image because what we behold, we become. In 2 Corinthians chapter 3, verse 18, we read: “And 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.” This is the visible expression of the invisible. We are being changed from being a divided people to being a united people, from being selfish individuals to loving ones, and from being proud sinners to humble, forgiven saints. By being transformed, the world can see Jesus in us. Our transformation gives glory to God.
Being a carrier of God’s glory is a precarious task. It is like a tanker truck that has 50 gallons of gas in its tank yet is carrying 10,000 gallons of gasoline behind it. The truck can break down, run out of gas, and get tired and still be carrying 10,000 gallons of gas. As the Bible says, we have this treasure, (glory), in vessels of clay, (2 Corinthians 4:7), so that the supernatural power that is manifested through us would be seen as God and not us. Paul said that the “thorn in his flesh” was given to keep him from becoming conceited. (2 Corinthians 12:7) It is easy to think that the praise we hear when we are being used by God is about us. But we are the carrier of the glory. We are just the donkey.
Isaiah 42:8 says that God gives His glory to no one. To understand this passage, in the light of the Scriptures above noted, we must see the context. First, Isaiah prophesies that we will be a light to the nations, (v.6), and to open the eyes of the blind. (v.7) This brings a lot of praise and glory to the one being used. Then comes verse 8 with the warning that no idol will receive the glory or praise due Him. The lesson here to be learned is that we may carry His glory, but we must remember it is His glory. This is our offering that we give each evening. All glory belongs to the Lord.
Scriptures to meditate on:
John 17:1, 20-22; Romans 8:24-30; Isaiah 42:8; 66:18-19; Psalms 95:6; 2 Corinthians 3:18