See the Joy

Visions of Glory

Read Luke 2:8-13 and quietly reflect on what God is demonstrating to us through these events. 1) There are “two phases” to the shepherds seeing God’s glory… first a messenger, than a chorus of hosts. What is the function each “phase” plays from the perspective of the shepherds? 2) Why do you think God chose to reveal His glory to the shepherds? Who benefits from these actions? 3) Some act like God “owes them” signs of His presence or work. How does that mentality differ from the function of God’s divine displays in Luke?

When we think of people seeing God’s glory, we think about events like the angels appearing before the shepherds… and for good reason. It’s glorious.

Luke 2:8–12 CSB

8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”

It’s cool, but terrifying

Common phrase when angels appear: do not be afraid

The divine is fearful; because we never quite expect it

If you are shocked when God appears, are you “faithless” or just human?

God is all about messaging and showing glory when it communicates His Will

“Why doesn’t God give me a sign?” Because revealing His nature is about His glory, not supplanting your flaws.

In the nativity, this deserves punctuation! Luke 2:13 -14

Luke 2:13–14 CSB

13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!

Contrary to popular opinion, these are not “hosts” like what we read about in Ezekiel (terrifying eye-ball monsters); it’s an army

We see this elsewhere in the Bible as well… 2 Kings 6:13-20

2 Kings 6:13–20 CSB

13 So the king said, “Go and see where he is, so I can send men to capture him.” When he was told, “Elisha is in Dothan,” 14 he sent horses, chariots, and a massive army there. They went by night and surrounded the city. 15 When the servant of the man of God got up early and went out, he discovered an army with horses and chariots surrounding the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?” 16 Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed, “Lord, please open his eyes and let him see.” So the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw that the mountain was covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 When the Arameans came against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Please strike this nation with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, according to Elisha’s word. 19 Then Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will take you to the man you’re looking for.” And he led them to Samaria. 20 When they entered Samaria, Elisha said, “Lord, open these men’s eyes and let them see.” So the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw that they were in the middle of Samaria.

NOTE: The army didn’t attack or “prove” God’s glory to the enemy; it encouraged the faithful.

Similarly, God uses His divine nature to reassure the faithful and enact HIS WILL.

APPLICATION: Some of us have this idea that God’s glory is all about what we need. We get upset when God doesn’t reveal Himself to us.

WAKE-UP CALL: You do not define the requirements for God’s Glory… AND THANK GOD FOR THAT.

God knows us when we are still in the womb; He is the only one more qualified than us to know when we need support vs when we need perseverance. Some of us are getting mad at God because He’s actually expecting us to do some work...

Sometimes Loud, Sometimes Quiet

Read Luke 1:8-13 and Luke 1:26-31 and individually reflect on the intimate and personal nature of how God reveals Himself through Gabriel to these individuals. 1) In both instances, the way God reveals himself is somewhat subdued (for Zechariah, during discharge of his religious duties and for Mary, during some random and unnamed moment). Do you feel people limit their “experience” of God to only big, high-energy events? How can only looking for God during these “mega events” make God feel ‘inaccessible’ when you need Him? 2) Neither Zechariah or Mary understood the full plan for the angel’s message. Our culture is obsessed with “knowing everything”. How can this cultural tendency challenge what we feel God is calling us to do?

God’s displays of Glory aren’t always massive and public. Some are so busy looking for the choirs of angels that they forget the more subtle ways God often reveals Himself...

Luke 1:8–13 CSB

8 When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.

God revealed Himself to Zechariah in the most intimate of intimate setting… the Holy of Holies

God reveals himself in a place of devotion

God reveals himself in Zechariah’s state of obedience (duty)

God reveals himself for a bigger purpose than what Zechariah realizes in the moment (he only realizes its because he wants a child).

God’s divine intervention in Zechariah’s life highlights that God can appear to us in many ways, so if we’re not looking for Him we may miss out on a tremendous blessing.

Similarly, you can consider how Mary was visited by an angel in Luke 1:26-31

Luke 1:26–31 CSB

26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. 30 Then the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.

Similar elements are seen as before… “do not be afraid”, an individualized greeting… but also notice that after comforting, Mary is still afraid.

God’s presence is overwhelming (numerous Biblical examples)

When God reveals Himself and His Will for people in the Bible, they are frequently called to take actions they don’t totally understand.... Moses, Jonah, Gideon… these are all people who hesitated at their calling.

CONSISTENT ACROSS IT ALL: God had specific plans for each individual in the Nativity story, and very few of them had any idea what their role would be.

Sometimes when we ask for God to intervene in our lives, we have the exact way we want Him to intervene. Perhaps our hearts would be better prepared to receive Him if instead we openly asked for God to reveal what HE WANTS in our lives.

Wrapping It Up: Seeing God is about His Plan, Not Ours

HYPOTHESIS: Regardless of how God reveals Himself… through grand display of glory or through a more intimate message… isn’t about His plans and furthering His glory.

PROBLEM: Many have tricked themselves into thinking that experiencing God is about a manufactured moment or special conditions.

ANALYSIS: When we do that, we completely miss the purpose of God’s presence and as a result (just as with the people in Nazareth when Jesus went back to visit), God may choose to remain silent in our lives.

CONCLUSION: If we want to see God, focus more on what God desires and less on what you desire. Then your heart, and eyes, will be in a state where you can see the true Glory of God.... the Glory that saves, that forgives, and that restores.