John 17:1–2 (WEL) Jesus spoke these things, then lifted his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, so that your Son may also glorify you. 2 “As you gave him authority over all flesh, so all whom you have given to him should have eternal life given to them.”
Chapter summary:
Joseph Benson:
In this chapter our Lord, having finished his ministry, and given his disciples all the instructions he judged necessary, closes the whole with a solemn prayer to God, asking,
(1) For himself, that he might be reinstated in his original glory with God, John 17:1–5.
(2) For the apostles, that they might be kept from evil through his name, and preserved in unity, John 17:6–16; and that they might be sanctified through the truth, John 17:17–19.
(3) For all believers, that they might be united to the Father, to him, and to one another; that by this love and unity, apparent among them, the world might be brought to believe in Jesus as the Messiah, John 17:20–23.
(4) He prays for all believers, that they might be with him forever in heaven, and so enjoy the happy effects of such love of the Father as he bore to Christ himself, John 17:24–26.
V1 Jesus spoke these things, then lifted his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, so that your Son may also glorify you.”
Our position when we pray is not important. We can have eyes open or closed. We can stand, kneel, lie down, etc. What God looks for is sincerity and genuine conversation with Him.
Jesus knew that the Father would glorify Him, so He prays. It is time to be the Passover Lamb as the substitute for our sins. The penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23), so all must die, unless there is a substitute. The sheep sacrificed before the Cross were temporary substitutes (Genesis 3:21, Genesis 4:4, and Hebrews 10:5–14) until the true substitute is sacrificed. Jesus offered Himself (Hebrews 9:14).
At first glance, it might seem strange, even proud, to ask to be glorified, but Jesus reveals His motive. If I am glorified, I in turn can glorify you. Compare John 17:5.
Jesus’s priestly prayer is an example of communicating with God. It is talking with God. We can note the genuineness of His words. Jesus speaks the truth, asks the Father to glorify the Son, revealingHis purpose—to glorify the Father.
V2 “As you gave him authority over all flesh, so all whom you have given to him should have eternal life given to them.”
Satan offered the kingdoms of this world (Luke 4:5–7); Jesus refused (Luke 5:8).
The Kingdom is Jesus’s and the authority over all flesh (animals but especially humans). Those who are given are the ones who met God’s condition—faith, believing and trusting in God alone for salvation). Compare Genesis 15:6, Habakkuk 2:4, and Romans 3:27–28).
Jesus is also Lord of the church (believers); see Ephesians 1:22. He is the King of Israel, King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). In everything He has the preeminence (Colossians 1:18).
We learn:
- Jesus wanted to be glorified, as promised, so He could glorify the Father.
- Jesus is King of kings.
Questions:
- How are you glorifying God the Father?
- Are you subservient to the Lord Jesus?