Beholding the Glory of Christ

John 5:19-30

Where There is No Vision of Glory

We live in a world full of sights and sounds - news, noise, deadlines, worries. And yet, how often does the glory of Christ, the Son of God, capture our attention? Do we walk through our days marveling at Him, or do we merely glance, distracted, like travelers passing a great palace without looking inside? Are we feasting at the banquet while fasting in our hearts?

What happens to our faith when the glory of Jesus becomes a faint thought rather than a consuming vision? If this is true for individuals, how much more is it true for the church as a whole? How often do we, as God’s people, live and serve with only a dim view of Christ’s majesty?

Our reading today calls us to fix our eyes on the glory of Christ, revealed in His unity with the Father, His authority to judge, and His power to give life, a glory that will transform our lives.

The Glory of Christ in John 5.

His Unity with the Father

John 5:19 & 30, “I can do nothing on my own.” Jesus isn’t claiming helplessness, but unity with the Father.

Unity of Purpose: The Father and the Son are so united that have one will, one purpose, one work. The Son’s desires and decisions perfectly align with the Father’s. He does not act independently or follow personal ambition. Every word, every healing, every sign flows from the Father’s will. One with the Father, Jesus perfectly obeyed because He lived fully for God. When we behold Christ, we behold God Himself—His wisdom, holiness, and intent made visible.

Unity of Action: “Whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise” (John 5:19). Whatever Jesus does, it is because he sees His Father doing it, and the Father works through the Son. God created all things through Jesus. God speaks to His people through Jesus. God saves His people through Jesus. In the Son we see the Father’s own hand at work.

Unity in Glory: Jesus promised, “The Father will show even greater works than these, so that you may marvel” (John 5:20). What would Jesus go on to do? He would feed the hungry, walk on water, heal the sick, even raise the dead. Every act of wonder-working power displays God’s glory. To see Christ is to see God’s glory—His character, holiness, and purpose revealed.

In Him, we behold perfect obedience. In Him, we behold God’s work made visible. In Him, we behold glory unveiled.

Stop and ask: Does the purpose, work, and glory of Christ cause you to marvel? How often do we pause to recognize that every work of Christ displays His unity with God the Father and is a direct revelation of the His glory?

Meditating on the unity of the Father and the Son strengthens our faith. It reassures us that nothing in the universe is outside Christ’s reach and that His power, judgment, and saving grace are exercised in complete unity with the wisdom and goodness of God.

In His Authority to Judge

John 5:22–23. How does knowing Christ as judge help us glorify Him?

Authority Granted by the Father: God has granted to the Son all authority to judge. This is profound: only God can judge the hearts of man, but Jesus tells us that the Father will not judge apart from the Son.

1 Cor 15 - All things have been put under his feet

Acts 17 - God has appointed a day on which he will judge by a man he has appointed…

The Father does not abdicate His role, but He executes judgment through the Son, glorifying the Son by placing him above all things.

We are to glorify Him as judge: Scripture makes clear that every person, righteous and wicked, those who have done good and evil. will one day stand before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10). His authority is universal and comprehensive; no one escapes His righteous scrutiny. Some will bow in joyful adoration, others in sorrowful compulsion, but all will honor Him. He will be glorified and honored as our Judge.

The Glory of the Redeeming Judge: Notice the shift - Judgment is given to the Son of Man. Jesus is emphasizing his role as our mediator in our judgment. The one appointed to Judge is the one who has come in our place, taken the burden of our sin, and through his death and resurrection has opened the way for those who believe in him to pass from death to life. Our judge has stepped in, our judgment has been laid upon him so that we would live.

In Him, we behold perfect justice. In Him, we behold mercy made known. In Him, we behold our Redeemer on the throne.

How often do you think on Christ as judge? Does the reality that He judges all things inspire awe and reverence in your heart, that we would work out our salvation in fear and trembling? Do we seek to honor him in our lives through faithful obedience?

Meditating on Christ’s authority to judge cultivates reverence, encourages obedience, and strengthens trust in His perfect justice and mercy.

In His Power to give Life

John 5:21, 26. How does the coming resurrection point us to His glory?

Sovereign Giver of Life: “The Dead will hear the voice of the Son.” How can the dead hear anything but that they are first given life, given to hear, so that they may come to life. “The Son gives life to whom He will.” Those who are dead cannot come to Christ on their own; He initiates life. We can’t come to him unless he calls. Christ receives all glory, because He is sovereign over creation and salvation.

Authority Over Physical and Spiritual Death: Christ’s power extends beyond healing the body; He is the source of all life, both physical and spiritual. He raises the physically infirm and, more profoundly, grants spiritual resurrection to sinners dead in their trespasses. Every soul redeemed and renewed testifies to His glory, power, and divine provision.

Empowerment Amid Weakness and Decay: Even in frailty, weakness, or spiritual decline, Christ brings renewal. As Paul reminds us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). Christ’s glory is revealed not only in raising the dead but in sustaining the weary, restoring hope, and strengthening the spiritually weak. In Him, life triumphs over death, despair, and decay, lifting the believer into hope, perseverance, and spiritual vitality.

In Him, we behold dead hearts made alive. In Him, we hold hope restored. In Him, we behold the weak made strong.

Do we recognize Christ’s power to give life in our own spiritual state, when we feel weak, weary, or spiritually dry? How does this power encourage us to hope, trust, and persevere?

Meditating on Christ’s life-giving power equips believers to face sin, weakness, and mortality with confidence. His glory turns despair into hope and weakness into strength.

Beholding the Glory of Christ -

The glory of Christ is not merely something to admire intellectually; it is meant to transform us. The continual contemplation of Christ revives the soul, strengthens faith, and enables perseverance amid affliction. Just as our text shows Christ’s unity with the Father, His authority, and His life-giving power, we are called to behold these glories and let them shape every part of our lives.

In Scripture.

Reading and Meditation: Regular, focused engagement with God’s Word reveals Christ as the ultimate manifestation of God’s glory (2 Cor. 4:6).

When you read Scripture, do more than scan the word, linger on His face, picture His works, marvel at His power. Let your heart catch fire with delight.

Reflection on what you’ve read “What does this passage show me about Christ’s glory?” This is not mere head-knowledge but a deliberate gaze of the soul toward Him.

In Worship, Fellowship, and Service.

Corporate worship: singing, praying, and hearing the Word publicly direct our minds to Christ’s majesty.

In worship, don’t just sing the songs—let your soul drink deeply of the praise of Christ. Feel His authority, His beauty, His love as the melody rises.

Fellowship: Seeing Christ in the lives of others as we minister together cultivates a vision of His glory in action.

Service: Acts of love and mercy reflect Christ’s glory to others and remind us of His authority, power, and grace.

In Daily Life and Ordinary Tasks.

Retreat to Christ in faith amid affliction, temptation, or distraction.

Everyday Observation: In study, work, science, current events, and even casual conversation, lean toward Christ: see His provision, His authority, His sustaining power. Even in ordinary tasks, imagine Him present, directing, sustaining, providing. Let every glance at creation, every encounter, every moment of daily life whisper of His glory.

Make it a habit to pause and ask: “How does Christ’s glory shine here?” Let Him frame your perception of all reality.

John Owen: “He that can at all times retreat unto the contemplation of Christ’s glory, will be carried above the perplexing sense of evils.”

Let us not drift past His majesty today. Look, see, marvel, and delight in Him. In beholding Christ, His unity, His authority, His life-giving power, we are drawn into a love that transforms, a grace that strengthens, and a glory that will never fade.