How does John 13:31 connect to the theme of glory in Isaiah 42:8? Setting the Scene • John 13:31: “When Judas had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in Him.’” • Isaiah 42:8: “I am the LORD, that is My name! I will not give My glory to another or My praise to idols.” What John 13:31 Declares • The moment Judas exits to betray Jesus, the Lord speaks of glory in the present tense—“Now.” • “Son of Man” (cf. Daniel 7:13–14) is Jesus’ favored Messianic title, anchoring His identity in Old Testament prophecy. • Jesus states two intertwined realities: – He Himself is being glorified. – The Father is simultaneously glorified in Him. • This glory centers on the cross, resurrection, and exaltation that are about to unfold (see John 12:23–24; 17:1–5). Isaiah 42:8 and God’s Exclusive Glory • The Lord unequivocally claims ownership of glory: “I will not give My glory to another.” • The context is the unveiling of the Servant (Isaiah 42:1–7), who will bring justice to the nations and be a covenant for the people. • Any sharing of divine glory would contradict God’s own declaration—unless the Servant is intrinsically one with Him. Connecting the Two Texts • Jesus’ words in John 13:31 echo Isaiah 42:8 by asserting divine glory yet avoiding any breach of God’s exclusive claim. • Key link: – If God never gives His glory to another, yet the Father glorifies Jesus, then Jesus must share the very nature of God (cf. John 1:1, 14; Hebrews 1:3). • The Servant of Isaiah 42 and the Son of Man of John 13 converge in one Person—Jesus Christ. • The cross becomes the stage where God’s righteousness, love, and power shine, fulfilling both the Servant prophecies (Isaiah 52:13–53:12) and Jesus’ prediction of glorification (John 3:14–15; 12:32). Further Scriptural Threads • John 17:5: “And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed.” • Philippians 2:9–11: God highly exalts Jesus, receiving worship that belongs to God alone, confirming Isaiah 45:23. • Revelation 5:12–13 shows every creature ascribing the same honor and glory to “Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.” Implications for Christ’s Identity • Jesus is no mere prophet or teacher; He embodies the very glory Isaiah says God will not share. • The crucifixion is not a defeat but the supreme revelation of divine glory—justice satisfied, mercy displayed, Satan defeated (Colossians 2:15). • The seamless unity of Father and Son means worshiping Jesus honors the Father, fulfilling—not violating—Isaiah 42:8. Living in the Light of His Glory • Our salvation rests on a Savior worthy of divine glory; therefore confidence in Him is secure (John 10:28–30). • Because glory belongs to God alone, all boasting is excluded; every good work becomes an act of gratitude (Ephesians 2:8–10). • The church’s calling mirrors the Servant’s mission—reflect God’s glory to the nations by proclaiming the gospel and living holy lives (1 Peter 2:9–12). In John 13:31, Jesus claims the very glory Isaiah 42:8 reserves for Yahweh, revealing His true identity and the breathtaking unity of the Father and the Son. |
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