“When Jesus had finished saying these things, he looked upward to heaven and said, ‘Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, so that your Son may glorify you—just as you have given him authority over all humanity, so that he may give eternal life to everyone you have given him. Now this is eternal life—that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent.’” —John 17:1–3
None of our Lord’s prayers are recorded as fully and as richly as what is often referred to as His “High Priestly Prayer” which begins in our verses for today. It sets forth the wonderful pattern of intercession which Jesus as our great High Priest is ever carrying on for us in heaven. Here we have a prayer offered up by the Lord on an especially interesting occasion—just after the Lord’s Supper and prior to His betrayal and crucifixion.
Jesus fleshes out what He had taught the disciples in Mathew regarding prayer—He begins with “Father.” A term of endearment; an expression of closeness; a word that conveys freedom of access as well as great expectation. “The people of God are to model the new heaven and new earth, and by so doing awaken longings for what God will bring to pass.”—Philip Yancey
Jesus also tells us here that His appointed time has arrived—the fullness of time has come. The time for His sacrificial death is upon Him—the final accomplishment of His atonement for all mankind. The hour has arrived and the Sacrifice is ready. We see the redeeming work of Christ—his death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven—bringing glory to both the Father and the Son.
Daniel had prophesized regarding the Lord Jesus’ authority years before:
“I was watching in the night visions, and with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man was approaching. He went up to the Ancient of Days and was escorted before him. To him was given ruling authority, honor, and sovereignty. All peoples, nations, and language groups were serving him. His authority is eternal and will not pass away. His kingdom will not be destroyed.” —Daniel 7:13–14
When we read of the Father giving power to the Son, it is not as a superior giving authority to an inferior, rather it signifies the permanent arrangement in the everlasting Trinity. The intentions and purposes of Jesus’ authority were to lead people to salvation and a restored relationship with God.
Become More
Knowing about Jesus’ sacrificial death is more than mere head knowledge. This is the knowledge that dwells in our hearts and influences our lives! To know something at the heart level will direct our eyes and our tongues and our hands and our feet. We will act on what we truly know and believe. We must know God—His holiness, His purity, His hatred of sin—as well as Christ—His redemption, His love of sinners, and His mediation between God and man. To know God without Christ is to know a consuming fire that will fill us with fear. To know Christ without God is to not truly understand what the Savior has done on our behalf. We will fail to see the meaning of the cross.
“For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” —Romans 6:23
Further Reflection
“Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven saying: ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.’” —Revelation 11:15