The Necessity of Veiled Glory

Jesus’ reply to Mary at the wedding in Cana remains one of His most mysterious statements: “My hour has not yet come.” These words immediately set a chronological tension—from immediacy to progression—though He was present among the guests, He avoided premature full recognition. Jesus did not deny Mary’s request—He would soon turn the water into wine—but His words revealed something deeper concerning the hiddenness of His glory. Though He was the eternal Son of God, Jesus did not openly manifest Himself to the world before the appointed time of His Father. Throughout His earthly ministry, He repeatedly withdrew from public exaltation, silenced the testimony of demons, and instructed others not to hastily proclaim who He was. His glory was present, yet veiled.

How different this is from the spirit of the world, and even much of modern Christianity, which often equates glory with visibility, influence, power and outward demonstration. Yet the way of the Bridegroom follows a different path. Before glory is openly manifest, the Bride must first learn to follow through the wilderness of hiddenness. There comes a watershed in our spiritual journey where the soul can no longer rely upon the consolation of revelations or emotions, visions or momentary experiences, not even the outward signs of God’s favour. The Bridegroom calls her higher—into the contemplative ascent where faith must yield mature love, and where this love ventures way beyond the boundaries of understanding or consolation. These “secret, inaccessible, steep places” (SOS 2:14) become Jesus’ chosen rendezvous of romance.  Where the Bride gazes upon the Bridegroom’s face rather than being enamoured by His glory.

Beloved, do not be troubled if the Lord sometimes seems hidden from your sight. The way of hiddenness is necessary because there love is purified and the Bridegroom awaits. He is calling you into the night, beyond your learned perception. Where is He that He should seem hidden? You will find Him waiting for you when you seek Him within your heart.