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Jesus Prays to Be Glorified

In these last 3 days, let us look at the amazing prayer Jesus prayed in John 17. This happened after extensive teaching in chapters 13-16; after Judas’ tragic betrayal; knowing that Peter would deny Him and that He would soon be crucified!

John 17:1-5: “After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him... I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”

The Father answered Jesus’ prayer in several ways. He answered through the men God gave Him in John 17:10: “All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.”

God answered through the angels at Jesus' birth in Luke 2:11-14: “today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord... Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.””

And God answered by raising Jesus to His right hand, as we read in Acts 2:32-33: “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.” Acts 5:31: “God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.”

Ephesians 1:19-21: “That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”

Reflection: Is our life centered around glorifying Jesus Christ, and therefore God the Father? The Holy Spirit’s entire aim is to draw us to Jesus Christ and to teach us His ways. Are our lives lining up in agreement with our triune God?