Glory is a strange concept, hard to explain but impossible to ignore. When that which is glorious appears, everything else around it seems to fade and become as nothing. How much more so the glory of God! Its majesty is terrifying and ultimately lethal to sinners: “No one may look upon my face and live.” And yet, somehow Jesus walked among us and spoke with us face-to-face without destroying us. He who was rightly named the Glory of Israel, the Glorious One, became a little lower than the angels, of low standing among men and of no repute. “He had no form or majesty that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him.” Very few saw His true glory because it was displayed in grace, forgiveness, and mercy. In the Old Testament, the King of Glory is “strong and mighty in battle,” a conquering sovereign who dominates His foes. But Jesus offered Himself up as a sacrifice, allowed Himself to be killed, and in doing so conquered the supreme enemies of mankind: death, hell, and sin. His victory is complete, and when His people finally see His glorious face, they will live forever and ever. “Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory.”
“What is your beloved more than another?” —Song of Sol. 5:9