The concept of glorification within the Christian faith pertains to the honor, praise, and divine majesty attributed to both the Son, Jesus Christ, and God the Father. This glorification is a central theme in the New Testament, reflecting the relationship between the Father and the Son and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

Glorification of the Son

The glorification of Jesus Christ is intricately linked to His life, death, resurrection, and ascension. In the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks of His impending death as the moment of His glorification: "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name!” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again” (John 12:27-28). This passage highlights the divine purpose and the Father's approval of the Son's mission.

The resurrection is a pivotal event in the glorification of Christ. Paul writes in Romans, "And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you" (Romans 8:11). The resurrection not only affirms Jesus' divine nature but also His victory over sin and death, thus glorifying Him.

Furthermore, the ascension of Christ is a significant aspect of His glorification. In Ephesians, Paul states, "He who descended is the very one who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things" (Ephesians 4:10). The ascension signifies Christ's exaltation and His sovereign rule at the right hand of the Father.

Glorification of the Father

The glorification of God the Father is often seen through the works and obedience of the Son. Jesus' mission on earth was to reveal the Father and bring Him glory. In John 17:4, Jesus prays, "I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do" . This statement underscores the Son's role in manifesting the Father's will and character to the world.

The Father is glorified through the salvation of believers, as they reflect His grace and truth. In Ephesians 1:12, Paul writes, "in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory" . The transformation and redemption of believers serve as a testament to God's glory and His redemptive power.

Mutual Glorification

The relationship between the Father and the Son is one of mutual glorification. Jesus declares, "If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him at once" (John 13:32). This mutual glorification emphasizes the unity and co-equal nature of the Father and the Son within the Trinity.

The glorification of the Son and the Father is ultimately realized in the eschatological hope of believers. In Philippians 2:9-11, Paul proclaims, "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" . This future glorification will be the culmination of God's redemptive plan, where all creation acknowledges the sovereignty and majesty of both the Son and the Father.