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Commentaries
English
John
  
25"He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.26If any one serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also. If any one serves me, the Father will honor him."


Jesus shows us that his way of death and passing on to glory applies to his disciples also. Just as the Son left his glory, emptied himself of divine attributes to save mankind, so also our aim is not to become great or famous, but to deny ourselves constantly. Examine yourself, do you love or hate yourself? Christ says that if you forget yourself, and serve his Kingdom faithfully you will gain the divine life. You will preserve your soul unto eternal life. With these words Jesus shows you the charter of true glory. Do not live to please your desires, nor be indolent or proud, but return to God listening to His commands, seeking the wretched and the depraved to serve them, just as he emptied himself of glory, to sit at table with the adulterous and thieves. In sharing with such sinners for the Gospel’s sake God’s glory will appear in your life. Do not imagine you are better than others. Jesus alone can make you transparent with others in spite of your failures. This change comes only by self-denial.
Jesus set out this principle clearly, when he explained that our service for him means to follow and to imitate him, and to share in the scorn he sometimes endured. The path is not to splendor with luxuries and boastings; this is not what Christ’s followers should expect. They may experience rejection, hostility, persecution even death. Are you ready to suffer for his name’s sake? He promises, "Where I am, there shall my servant be also." Jesus has gone before you in the path of affliction, he suffers with you. Obvious glory is not the theme of Christ’s servants in this journey. Our happiness is not in pleasing ourselves, but it is to serve the needy. Christ’s name is glorified in the sacrificial spirit of his followers. The Father’s name is glorified, as we become like His Son.
Just as Christ is seated today on his Father’s throne, living with him in perfect fellowship and union, so also those persecuted today for his sake will live and join with their heavenly Father. Great is this mystery. What do you think will be the honor that the Father will offer to His beloved Son’s servants? He will renew His image in them, as at creation. More than this, he will descend on them in the fullness of his Spirit. They will become children like His Son, for him to be the firstborn among many brethren. Forever, they will be with his Father in the heavenlies (Romans 8:29; Revelation 21:3-4).

Prayer
We thank you, Lord Jesus, because you were not content to enjoy your glory, but stripped yourself of your greatness. We worship you for such humility, praying that you will free us of our self-satisfaction and pride, so that we may know the liberty that your Spirit gives to serve you and know your love in our lives.
Question
Why is Christ’s death regarded as the glorification of truth?