Hours before his incarceration, Jesus’ prayer revealed he had not yet been glorified but was earnestly anticipating it. “Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You.” John 17:1
Early in his ministry, at the feast of tabernacles we see he was not yet glorified. “Jesus spoke regarding the holy spirit. He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:38-39). Jesus sent the holy spirit on the day of Pentecost 50 days after his resurrection, ten days after his ascension.
The same week he was taken captive, he entered Jerusalem on a young donkey (an event frequently referred to as “his triumphant entry”). The people thought he was about to become the King of Israel; however, they misinterpreted what was occurring. Later, the disciples would understand.
“These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him.” John 12:16
While responding to Philip and Andrew, Jesus again speaks about his glorification indicating he was deeply considering the subject in the waning hours of his life.
“…The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit [reference to his death and resurrection]…
Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour [reference to his suffering and death]…
Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself [reference to his ascension]. John 12:21-32
John 13-16 provide the most comprehensive account of the last supper ending with Jesus’ prayer recorded in chapter 17. The activities and teaching throughout were preparation for his ascension.
“Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” John 13:1
After Judas left the meal, Jesus knew the end of his life was near but more importantly, he would soon depart to be with the Father. His death and resurrection would precede the glorification that would come with the ascension.
Therefore when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him;
if God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately.
“Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ John 13:31-33
“But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’
“But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
“But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.
“I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.” (Joh 16:5-7, 28 NAU)
The disciples were distraught over his departure; therefore, Jesus endeavored to comfort and encourage them. Nonetheless, for him the anticipation of His ascension was his joy, hope, and glorified destiny. Jesus enjoyed the most intimate relationship available with Yahweh, yet as a human, there were limitations and separation. He like us yearned to be ever in the presence of his God and Father. At the verge of gruesome suffering and death, his mindset was on his soon-coming glorification in the eternal presence of his Father.
We can only imagine the utter jubilation in heaven when the Son finally ascended to the throne room of his Father. The dream of the ages, the plan set before the foundation of the world, was realized causing God the Father, Jesus the Son, and all the celestial beings to rejoice. We gain a small glimpse of this glorious time from the book of Revelation.
Revelation 5:1-14
I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals.
And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?”
And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it.
Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it;
and one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.”
And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.
And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
“You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands,
saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”
And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”
And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.
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