God’s Glory Through Jesus’ Ministry

Mark 1:15 & Luke 13:10-17

When you think of the life of Jesus, what is the first thing that you think of? Maybe it’s Jesus as a baby, maybe it’s Jesus with his disciples, or maybe it’s Jesus performing miracles. Though we should think about those things when we think about Jesus, I believe that God wants us to also think about how his only Son glorified him daily in his life on earth. As believers, we are made to imitate Christ, so in doing so we should glorify God daily as well. 

Mark chapter one describes the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. He came into Galilee and told all of the people there that “the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15). Jesus did not enter into his ministry timidly, he did so boldly, knowing that his duty was to bring honor to his Father. 

Jesus’ ministry was meant to initiate what it means to live in the kingdom of God. He did this by not only preaching the gospel, but also by showing people that his God was worthy of being glorified. The New Testament gospels are riddled with witnessings of the wonders that Jesus did in front of both believing and unbelieving eyes. 

The miracles that Jesus performed were done in order to bring God glory and honor. Jesus performed many miracles that are noteworthy. One miracle that comes to mind in particular is found in Luke, when Jesus healed a woman who had an unclean spirit dwelling inside of her for over 18 years. Jesus looked at her, and he said “Woman, you are freed from your disability” (Luke 13:12). After he laid hands on her, she was healed. 

When the woman realized that she had been healed, she glorified God. She knew that it was only by the work of Jesus’ hand that she was healed, and she chose to immediately glorify God. She gave glory where glory was due. 

Jesus gave people many reasons to glorify him. The end of the passage in Luke says that “all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him” (Luke 13:17). People were in awe of Jesus and the wonders that he was doing on earth. Jesus wanted to bring more praise and glory to his Father. 

In these miraculous moments, God was glorified because his kingdom was coming to earth. In Jesus’ short three year ministry, he brought much of God’s glory to earth. God’s kingdom is where God’s glory is revealed. Jesus’ ministry displays what it’s like for God’s glory to be on the earth. As believers, we are called to bring God’s kingdom to display as well. It can be hard to dedicate your whole life for the sake of the gospel. Where have you fallen short in proclaiming God’s glory to the world? How can you change your everyday actions to bring God glory? How can you imitate Christ and show others the love of God? 

Though we are called to emulate Christ in our daily lives, it is worthy of praise to note that we are empowered to do so by the helper - the Holy Spirit. Not only does Jesus show us what it means to live in his Kingdom, but he sends us the very Spirit of God to dwell within us to help bring God the utmost glory in and through our daily lives.

Let this be a moment of rejoicing and not shame that we cannot do it on our own. Let us rejoice in the coming of Jesus this Christmas season that we can run the race with endurance for Jesus is the joy set before us. 

Wonder: 

Where is it hard to think of God’s glory in a daily task? 

What is something that you’ve seen God’s glory in recently in your own life? What do you need to rejoice in? If you can’t think of anything, who could help you see this? 

How can you take steps toward bringing the kingdom of God to earth? 

How can you bring this to your discipleship group this week?