City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh

The Word

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you…

Aisha’s Analysis

Today’s verse opens John 17, but let’s take a quick glance back to see the words Jesus previously spoke at the close of chapter 16: I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world (John 16:33). 

What a victorious statement. Now let’s see how Jesus follows this amazing statement that has kept believers anchored in their faith for generations to come: When Jesus had spoken these words, He lifted up His eyes to heaven. 

Jesus’ posture of lifting up His eyes to heaven shows us where our focus should be when going through tribulation. Here, Jesus is moments away from entering into His Passion, arguably the most excruciating suffering anyone on earth has ever been through, and where is His attention? Where is His focus? The answer to that question is our key to enduring suffering for the Kingdom. He looked up to heaven and said “Father…” 

The fact that Jesus directs His attention up to heaven and calls out to God as “Father” in this prayer reveals the intimacy, special bond, and love that exist between a Father and Son. This gives us another clue of how to remain faithful to God even if it involves picking up a cross–we must see God as our loving Father. 

Although we do experience tribulation in this world, we have the Father! What could be better than that? The last clause of this verse depicts the reflection of glory between Jesus and the Father. Jesus makes a request: glorify your Son that the Son may glorify You. 

This shows us the source of glory. Jesus asks the Father to glorify Him that He may glorify the Father. As believers, we can experience glory if, and only if, it originates from God. According to Strong’s concordance, one of the definitions of glory is: to cause the dignity and worth of some person or thing to become manifest and acknowledged.

Just as the Father publicly affirmed Jesus as His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased (Matthew 3:17), God is speaking that over all His children. It is God’s love that equips us to glorify Him with our lives. That is ultimately what led Jesus to the cross, and that is what solidifies our position as beloved children of God. 

Application

Are you currently going through any tribulation in life? As we are currently experiencing a pandemic and social unrest, I’m sure we can all agree this is a difficult season. However, one of the benefits of suffering and trials, is that going through hard times brings underlying things to the surface. No, it’s not pretty, but it must be dealt with.

Let’s take this moment to do as Jesus did and look up to heaven. Let’s cry out to the Father. Let’s ask Him to glorify us, so we can bring glory to Him. 

Prayer

Father God, I come to You in the Name of Jesus, and thank You for sending Your only begotten Son to pay for my sin. This act of unconditional love and grace brings me glory–it makes my dignity and worth apparent. I receive what You’ve done for me wholeheartedly. Now, I ask that You would empower me to glorify You. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.