I have glorified you on the earth (John 17) ج1
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains the Lord Jesus’ saying “I have glorified you on the earth” (John 17) and clarifies the meaning of glory here: not giving what God lacks, but manifesting God’s glory to people as it exists in the divine essence in holiness, power, knowledge, and eternality. Christ glorified the Father by his words, by his life, and by his works and miracles, and He gave people a clear image of God the Father.
The spiritual and educational core
The fundamental message calls the believer to make glorifying God the goal of life sincerely, not to glorify the self or seek people’s approval. Glorifying here means acknowledging God’s glory and manifesting it in daily conduct, in service, and in leading people to love God. True divine praise is revealed in complete faithfulness and exactness in the work God gave you to finish, and in partnership with the Holy Spirit in completing His work.
Practical applications from a Coptic Orthodox perspective
- Examine yourself: have you shown God’s name to people? Have you made people love the Lord by your life and speech?
- Faithfulness in all responsibilities: personal, familial, educational, occupational — every task is required to be done excellently as service to the Lord.
- True witness appears when the Lord’s name enters every conversation and field — just as the Lord’s name entered the field with David and the talk turned from fear to the living God.
- Practical examples: Joseph the righteous as faithful in every position; David who brought the Lord’s name into the field; Christ who completed the work given to Him to the point of perfection.
Call and practical reflection
The lecture ends with a reflective question: how many people came to love God through you? This directs the believer to reorder life: have you completed the work the Lord gave you, or do you justify your shortcomings? Enthusiasm or appearances are not enough; rather faithfulness, precision, and perfection in serving God and people are required.
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