Bringing Sons To Glory

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 2:9-11

Recently I was reminded of a song that is so expressive in its wording and powerful in its imagery that it is becoming one of my "top ten" favorites. Most of my top ten spots are held by the famous hymn writer Charles Wesley. This songwriter however, evokes some of Wesley's words in his famous hymn, "And Can It Be." This newer song is entitled, "The Father's Love," by Stuart Townsend. There are many great phrases that describes the Lord's passion for our salvation, but one caption in the first verse, echoing the roots of its words from Hebrews, says volumes: "Bringing many sons to glory." Before I go on, here is the first verse by Townsend,

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Imagine and involve your mind in the context of this last stanza. Does it impress upon you the awesome love with which we are loved? Satan has a way of turning our heart's attention from the awe of this love, by dangling some worldly fancy. How sad it is to lose ground in relationship to the supreme love of God for some foolish thing or idea that will ultimately betray us. God never stops loving us. But isn't it more than a tragedy to think of all He went through to secure our salvation and for us not to love Him and worship Him? Let's pick apart the phrase and spend a moment exploring the concepts behind the words.

The concept of "Bringing,"
God sent His Son on a precise mission. A mission no one could undertake but Jesus. If you want to put a human parallel to the ministry of Christ you could aptly say that Christ was the Author and top Person of the Divine "Search and Rescue" operation that targeted mankind. Jesus Christ not only came into the world to die for us, but He also promises us that we will be "taken," or "brought" to His eternal home. It is awe inspiring in itself to understand how little we have to do with our own destiny! But the greatest issue of love is found not only in the searching, but the rescue. Searching does no practical good unless the victim of sin is found, and then brought out of his or her desperate surroundings into safety. We may not see it, but all around us are forces of darkness attempting to drag us down and discourage us from looking and helping those outside the fold of God. Let us press onward as He did. Not that we can save anyone, but we are left in the world to be His "search parties" in seeking the unredeemed. What love there is in bringing! A favorite Greek word of mine is "euongolizomai" meaning "the one who is bringing good tidings." This is what and who we are, those who bring. For if nothing good is brought, then nothing can be found to rescue.

The concept of "many sons."
The King James often uses a dual gender meaning in a masculine sense. The verse can be rightly translated as sons or daughters. The emphasis here is on the quantity, "many." Note that not all called to from the search light of the Gospel will desire to be rescued. However Christ is determined and willing that not one should perish, so He plays no favorites either. His chief desire for you and I is that we might desire to be with Him. Christ for sees the end of all things and the condemnation that awaits mankind. Fortunately Heaven's halls will be lined with those who said, "yes" to Christ's saving hand. The fervency of Christ's desire sweeps through the ranks of the living on earth and the dead of the earth in the physical sense. When Christ returns, He first will let his Calling unto the saints take a faster than light stroll through the cemeteries of the world. He will sweep through and not forget to raise anyone who placed their trust in Him. He remembers that prayer of faith said hundreds of years ago or perhaps days ago. He remembers each man, woman and child's name and according to I Thessalonians 4:13-18 they shall all be changed and brought together with those who are living. Speaking of living ones, not one of them who has their faith in Him shall be left on the Earth. The concept of "many sons" will be seen throughout the skies as the once dead of the ages and the living are all united again, just as He said. This is His Joy.

The concept of "to glory."
We discussed glory two weeks ago. It's a subject inexhaustible by the mind of man. Sufficient to say, we know it is the express desire of Christ to clothe us with His glory. To give us all the rights and privileges of the greatest Royal Family that ever reigned. What we shall be in physical form we do not know, but we know from John's first epistle, we shall be like Christ, and that is definitely more awe inspiring than anything we can envision. His Glory is His Home and now it will be ours! No one has come so far as the wretched mess of a sinner who exchanges his or her filth for the most purest robe of righteousness there is. Christ is not stingy. He desires each of us to share with Him. He even desires that we reign with Him! He desires the most ultimate existence that no science fiction author can dream up, nor any philosopher can theorize on. The love is perfected in us. The measure of His goodness is weighed on the scale of our sinfulness. No one commits more sin worthy of death than others, for all have been condemned. But put Christ and His desire for our glory on the scale, and the weight of His love dispels and buries our sin in the grave of "non-remembrance."

When we consider how wretched we are and how merciful He is, it cannot be thought adequately on how loving God is towards us. We see only the earthly disasters, God foresaw the eternal disasters.

Guard against carnality and cynicism. Drifting away from God will dim your sight of this awesome phrase and reality in the Scriptures.

If you know Christ, you are the very target of that Divine power that sought you and bought you from the condemnation of sin. Take some time this week to reflect on the Supreme Sacrifice for your soul. It is most probable that we cannot take it all in of who we were and what God has done. If we could take it all in and have perfect understanding, it may be that salvation through Christ would be an unappreciated favor, not, the most grandest, sophisticated, hope bearing mission that ever was made: Bringing You, bringing me, to Glory.

Father, how we thank You for not exercising Your right to turn away from us in our sins. You turned away from Your Son for us who were no sons or daughters, but became such as we believed on Christ. Thank You for Jesus. Help us not to be religious in our walk with You, but lovingly related and connected to Your heart. Thank you in advance for the home that awaits us with You, and all the saints for all times. In Your Gracious Name, Amen.

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