The phrase, “When he had gone out,” is about Judas Iscariot. As soon as Judas left the room to initiate the betrayal that will happen later that night, Jesus says, “Now is the Son of Man glorified.” It is easy to picture glorification happening later. Glory would come through and after Jesus’ death and resurrection. But why does Jesus say the glorification starts now?
More questions:
Is the glorification because all facets of Jesus’ life have come together, leading to this moment?
Is the glorification related to the fulfillment of numerous prophecies?
Is Jesus’ reference like the opening scene or act of a play that will culminate in the author’s praise at the curtain call?
The next verse shows that the glorification isn’t about what is coming, but what is here right now.
“If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.”– John 13:32
The Son of Man is glorified “at once.” Jesus just washed Judas’ feet and then sent him out to do what he was going to do. Then, Jesus is glorified, and God the Father through him. So, glorification must come through faithfulness, acceptance, and love. Jesus was faithful to his father, and he continued to love and accept Judas right where he was at.
Two important notes here:
People tend to think of glory as it relates to spotlights and applause. Yet, at this moment of glorification, Jesus gives his disciples “a new commandment” – to love each other the way Jesus loves – vs 34-35. He emphasized that the world would know him if his followers loved each other the way he loved Judas.
In this passage, Jesus references “the Son of Man.” This was his favorite way of referring to himself. The prophet Daniel had a vision of the Son of Man, recorded in Daniel 7:13-14.
I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
The Son of Man is the king of all and his glory looks like his people serving him by caring for each other.
At the conclusion of John chapter 13, the disciples don’t acknowledge Jesus’ comments about God’s glory, and they don’t acknowledge anything Jesus said about loving each other. Let’s not miss out on the correlation between loving those around us and the glory God gives and receives.
Pastor John Riley