From the Editor Mar/Apr 2025
Israel My Glory Sneak Peek with Jesse King, our managing editor, is a video series that gives a glimpse into our latest issue.My daughter, cute and kind with characteristic 3-year-old excitement, often asks me, “Is it time yet?” Whether she’s waiting to go to the park or enjoy a sweet treat, she does her best to practice patience. Still, it’s a challenge for her to submit to my plan when I reply, “Not yet, but I’ll tell you when the time is right.”
We all make plans, hoping to cause things to happen how and when we want. Jesus’ disciples could certainly relate. Having dedicated their lives to Him, they wanted Jesus to display His glory fully and secure their freedom from Roman dominance. Ultimately, they anticipated He would establish the physical Messianic Kingdom in Israel, ushering in a golden age (Acts 1:6).
But Jesus operated on His divine schedule, not theirs. When petitioned to exhibit His power and authority, He answered, “My hour has not yet come” (Jn. 2:4; cf. 7:6). Only He knew when He would lay down His life as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world (cf. 1:29); and He declared, “The hour has come,” on the night of His arrest (Jn. 17:1; cf. Mt. 26:45).
Throughout three years of earthly ministry, Jesus healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, and presented incontrovertible proof He was the long-expected Messiah sent from God. Though His followers sought an immediate earthly kingdom, they were offered what they needed most—salvation from their sins.
Just as Jesus intended to ride a donkey triumphantly into Jerusalem as Israel’s Messiah, He also submitted to His Father’s plan to be tried, beaten, whipped, crucified, and buried. But death did not hold Him. Jesus gloriously rose to life on the third day and ascended to heaven 40 days later, where He reigns with the Father on high. His sacrifice bought our redemption, providing us salvation through His grace by our faith in Him alone.
This issue of Israel My Glory centers our attention on Jesus’ journey to the cross. Our writers teach the Jewish context of the Gospels to bring these accounts to life, illustrating how Jesus spent the week leading to His crucifixion, purposefully preparing to die for our sins (Isa. 53:5) and rise again to conquer death. I can think of no greater topic to study than this one.
May we focus our hearts and minds on our Savior’s life, death, and resurrection not only at this time of year, as Easter approaches, but each day. And may we, with the same excitement my 3-year-old daughter has, watch eagerly for His return and reward (Rev. 22:12).
In His service,
Jesse King
Managing Editor
