The Scripture from Ps. 69, which is quoted in John 2:17 about Jesus Christ says that Zeal for your house will consume me. The zeal Jesus had for the Father’s glory led him to testify to this to the Jews gathered at the temple in John 7:18 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. It’s true that there were no errant or sinful motivations in the Son, since he only came to seek God’s glory. That zeal also led him to submit himself to God’s will in perhaps the greatest spiritual battle in the history of the world, which took place in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was so committed to accomplishing the plan of God, that he prayed to the Father—Not my will, but yours be done—even at the expense of his own life. Christ did not allow the consequences of standing for the glory of God to prevent his zeal and as a result he was consumed, being crucified on the cross while bearing the wrath of God in sinners’ place.
However, because he was fully pleasing to the Father and never disobeyed him even for one moment, God vindicated him by raising him from the dead and exalted him to sit at the highest position in the Universe—his right hand. As a result of entrusting ourselves to those truths, we are to follow in his footsteps by being spent and consumed for God’s glory. Is there any cost too great? The Apostle Paul says that no hardship can compare to the eternal weight of glory that is stored up for those who are zealous for Christ’s name. Let’s commit to pray for ourselves and for others to have empowering and sustaining grace for the race set before us.