John shows us that the throne of Christ, from which he reigns, is his cross. The hour of his death is his glorification (John 12:23), not something which he must endure in order to be glorified later. On the cross he draws all people to himself as King (John 12:32). The cross is what we see from an earthly perspective, but from the heavenly viewpoint John reveals that the lamb appearing slain is on his throne (Revelation 5:6).
Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to come into His glory?” Luke 24:26
Not suffer “and then” or “and later” to come into his glory, but simply to suffer “and” to come into his glory. Jesus described the suffering and glory as a single reality.
When we begin to see his ascending to the cross and the throne as one, viewed from two perspectives, rather than two separate events occurring in sequence, other verses begin to take on an new meaning.
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
What if the joy is contemporaneous with the enduring and shame, and the cross is truly on the right hand of the Father spiritually, though between two thieves on earth? If this is one reality, then Christ’s suffering in the earthly realm is truly the glory and reign of self-offering love, the expression of the very essence of God’s nature. This changes how we understand our own calling too.
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:17
Again, is this verse describing a single or two events, one which follows the other? Do we suffer with Christ now that we might share in his glory later, or in our suffering do we now also share in his glory?
Often we have understood Paul as saying you have to put up with hardship now to get to a reward later. But truly, when we suffer with Christ through the pouring out of love, which always comes with risk and hurt, we are sharing in his glory. We have joined him in his kingdom, his reign of self-sacrificing love. We have entered his glory.
Think in this manner about the meaning of taking up one’s cross. There is now a twofold implication: the sober reminder of counting the cost, because it is not easy to follow the crucified One, but we are also taking up the throne that we might reign with him. The greatest is servant of all by serving others.
Perhaps the reason we struggle to recognize this because it is hard to imagine the cross from a heavenly or spiritual perspective. We need to be reminded that we do not easily see things as they truly are.
You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. Hebrews 2:8
The author of Hebrews says all things are subject to Christ, in other words, he is reigning. Then he acknowledges bluntly that we do not see it yet. His present reign is real but we do not perceive it. Truly, the cross does not seem like a throne or being glorified. Jesus does not appear to be the king, though the inscription said he was.
Traveler's Journal 