How Does God’s Glory Reflect Christ’s Glory?
The concept of God’s glory is central in Scripture, representing His divine presence, holiness, majesty, and radiant perfection. In the Old Testament, God’s glory is revealed in the tabernacle, the temple, and miraculous acts, manifesting His holiness and power among His people. In Christian theology, the glory of God finds its fullest expression in Jesus Christ. Christ embodies, reveals, and manifests God’s glory in human form, bridging the infinite majesty of God with the tangible reality of humanity. By examining the biblical patterns of God’s glory, one can see how they illuminate the glory revealed in Christ.
1. God’s Glory as Manifest Presence
In the Old Testament, God’s glory is often associated with His visible presence. For example, when the tabernacle is completed, the cloud of God’s glory fills it, signifying His dwelling among His people (Exodus 40:34–35). Similarly, God’s glory appears in Moses’ face after encountering Him on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:29–35).
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Reflection in Christ: Christ embodies God’s presence in human form. John 1:14 states that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory.” Just as God’s glory was manifested visibly in the tabernacle and in the radiance around Moses, Christ makes the invisible God visible, revealing divine majesty, holiness, and love in a way humans can perceive and relate to.
2. Glory as Holiness and Moral Perfection
God’s glory in the Old Testament is closely tied to His holiness. The radiant glory represents God’s moral perfection and the standard of righteousness that sets Him apart from creation (Isaiah 6:1–3). His glory demands reverence and obedience, reflecting the ethical and moral nature of divine excellence.
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Reflection in Christ: Christ perfectly embodies God’s holiness in human life. Through His sinless life, obedience to the Father, and moral perfection, He mirrors God’s glory. In Philippians 2:9–11, Christ’s exaltation demonstrates the visible recognition of His glory as God’s holy and righteous Son, confirming that He perfectly reflects the moral and divine excellence of God.
3. Glory Revealed Through Power and Acts
In Exodus and throughout the Old Testament, God’s glory is demonstrated through mighty acts—parting the Red Sea, providing manna, defeating enemies—which display His power and sovereignty (Exodus 14:29–31). God’s glory is both revealed in His presence and through His action in the world.
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Reflection in Christ: Christ’s miracles—healing the sick, raising the dead, calming storms—reveal the power and authority of God on earth. In these actions, the glory of God is made manifest, demonstrating His dominion over nature, sickness, and death. Christ’s works mirror the majesty and power of God’s glory, now expressed in the person of the Savior.
4. Glory as a Source of Revelation
God’s glory reveals His character and draws people into relationship with Him. Moses’ encounters with God’s glory, the radiance of the tabernacle, and divine manifestations all communicate God’s holiness, covenant faithfulness, and love.
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Reflection in Christ: Christ is the ultimate revelation of God’s glory. Hebrews 1:3 describes Him as “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being.” In Christ, humanity sees God’s love, justice, mercy, and faithfulness fully revealed. Christ makes God’s glory tangible and comprehensible in human experience.
5. Glory That Leads to Transformation
Encountering God’s glory often transforms people. Moses’ face shone after seeing God’s glory (Exodus 34:29–35), the Israelites were renewed in worship, and God’s glory provided guidance and protection in the wilderness. Glory brings life, renewal, and transformation.
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Reflection in Christ: In Christ, God’s glory transforms lives. Believers are called to reflect Christ’s glory, being renewed and sanctified through His presence (2 Corinthians 3:18). Just as God’s glory radiated outward in the Old Testament, Christ’s glory transforms hearts and lives, revealing God’s character and drawing people into eternal relationship.
6. Glory as Fulfillment of Promise
God’s glory in the tabernacle and temple signifies His covenant presence and faithfulness. His glory reassures Israel that He is with them and will fulfill His promises.
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Reflection in Christ: Christ fulfills these promises in person. The incarnation represents the ultimate presence of God among His people, fulfilling the covenant and establishing a path to eternal life. The glory of Christ confirms that God’s promises of redemption, restoration, and salvation are realized in Him.
Conclusion
God’s glory in the Old Testament—manifested through presence, holiness, power, revelation, transformation, and covenant faithfulness—finds its ultimate reflection in Christ. Jesus embodies God’s glory in human form, revealing divine holiness, majesty, and love. He makes God’s invisible presence visible, His moral perfection tangible, His power active, and His covenant promises fulfilled. In encountering Christ, humanity encounters the fullness of God’s glory, bridging the divine and human realms. Exodus and the broader biblical narrative thus lay the groundwork for understanding Christ as the ultimate manifestation of God’s glory.