Sermon: Exodus 33 and 1 John 3

Preacher:

Bob Cooper

Date:

Sunday 2nd March 2025

Venue:

Guildford Cathedral

Service:

6pm Choral Evensong

May I speak in the name of the living God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Both of our readings tonight, in different ways, are asking us to reflect on the nature of divine glory. Both Exodus and 1 John, together illuminate the nature of God's glory and its call to have a transformative impact on our lives.

In Christian theology, the glory of God encompasses the manifestation of His divine attributes and presence. It is the radiant display of His holiness, power, and love, evident throughout creation and human history. Scripture often depicts God's glory as a profound, transformative presence. For instance, during the dedication of Solomon's Temple, "the glory of the Lord filled the temple," so overwhelming that the priests could not perform their duties

The Apostle Paul emphasizes that all have sinned and "fall short of the glory of God"  highlighting humanity's need for redemption. Through Jesus Christ, believers are reconciled to God and called to reflect His glory in their lives. This transformative process involves being "transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory” as Paul writes to the Cornithians, signifying spiritual growth and alignment with God's character.

Thus, the glory of God is not only His inherent majesty but also His active presence, inviting believers into a deeper relationship and calling them to mirror His divine nature in the world.

In Exodus 33, we encounter Moses at a critical juncture in his leadership journey. Having led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness, Moses seeks a deeper revelation of God. His plea, "Now show me your glory," reflects an intense desire to experience God's presence in a more profound way.

God's response to Moses is both gracious and protective. He agrees to reveal His goodness and proclaim His name but sets a boundary: "You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live." This interaction underscores the tension between God's immanence—His nearness to us—and His transcendence—His incomprehensible majesty.

To accommodate Moses' request, God provides a unique solution. He places Moses in a cleft of a rock, covering him with His hand as His glory passes by. This act serves a dual purpose: it offers Moses a glimpse of divine glory while shielding him from the full, overwhelming presence of God.

This imagery of the cleft rock has been a source of reflection for many theologians. It symbolizes a place of refuge and revelation, where humanity encounters the divine in a manner that is both intimate and awe-inspiring.

Swiss theologian Hans Küng’s writings offer valuable insights into the nature of God's glory. Küng emphasizes that while God remains hidden and beyond human comprehension, His glory—manifested as splendour and power—is made visible to us. He writes:

"God himself... remains hidden, is not in human form; only his 'glory'... is visible: God's splendour and power, the brilliance of light which issues fully from him."

Küng's perspective aligns with the experience of Moses. While the fullness of God is beyond human sight, His glory is revealed in ways that we can perceive and appreciate. This revelation invites us into a deeper relationship with the divine, fostering both reverence and intimacy.

The Apostle John also provides a profound reflection on the impact of beholding God's glory. In 1 John 3:1-3, he marvels at the love of the Father, declaring that we are now children of God. This identity is not just a future promise but a present reality.

John acknowledges that while our full transformation is yet to be revealed, there is a certainty that when Christ appears, "we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." This future vision of Christ's glory has a purifying effect on believers in the present. The hope of seeing Christ compels us to pursue purity and holiness, aligning our lives with His character.

This connection between the passages in Exodus and 1 John reveals a profound truth: the glory of God is intrinsically linked to His love. Moses' encounter with God's glory is a testament to God's desire to be known by His people. Similarly, John's epistle emphasizes that being called children of God is a manifestation of the Father's great love.

Küng reflects on this intersection, suggesting that the revelation of God's glory is not merely about displaying power but about inviting humanity into a loving relationship. This perspective challenges us to view God's glory not as a distant, awe-inspiring phenomenon but as an intimate expression of His love for us.

Understanding and experiencing God's glory carries significant implications for our daily lives:

Firstly in the Pursuit of Holiness: The hope of seeing Christ compels us to purify ourselves. This pursuit is not about adhering to a set of rules but about aligning our hearts and actions with the character of God.

Secondly in Embracing God's Presence: Like Moses, we are invited to seek God's presence earnestly. This involves creating space in our lives for prayer, reflection, and worship, allowing us to encounter His glory in transformative ways.

And thirdly in Reflecting God's Glory: As recipients of God's love and glory, we are called to reflect these attributes to the world. Our lives should be testimonies of His goodness, drawing others to experience the same divine love.

The narratives of Moses' encounter with God's glory and John's reflection on our identity as children of God converge to reveal a God who is both majestic and intimately loving, highlighting that God's glory, while transcendent, is made accessible to us as an expression of His profound love.

As we continue our journey of faith, may we, like Moses, earnestly seek to behold God's glory. And as the Apostle John encourages, let this vision transform us, purifying our hearts and compelling us to live lives that reflect the divine love we have so graciously received.

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we are in awe of Your glory and humbled by Your love. Grant us the desire to seek Your presence continually and the grace to reflect Your character in our daily lives. May our pursuit of You transform us into vessels of Your glory, drawing others into the light of Your love. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.