City Life Starter

Written by Jason Scherzer

The Word

⁵ And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

Exegesis

In John 17, Jesus offers His great prayer to God the Father, His Father. The NT contains another prayer, commonly called “The Lord’s Prayer,” given when Jesus’ disciples had asked Him, “Lord, teach us to pray,” which He did by beginning, “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name…” Though, it is commonly called “The Lord’s Prayer,” it would not be wrong to call it the Disciple’s prayer, and to call this one, John chapter 17, “The Lord’s Prayer”. John 17 truly is the prayer of the Lord Jesus. Usually the prayer of our Lord that is contained in John 17 is called the high-priestly prayer. Jesus prays a prayer that effectively consecrates Himself to become the sacrifice that will satisfy the problem of sin and separation from God.

In this powerful chapter of prayer, Jesus prays to the Father, showing a great dependence on Him. His disciples will need to imitate this dependence. He prays that the Son (himself) will be glorified by the Father, and that the Father will be glorified by the Son. This glory of the Son is a glory in His Cross, death, burial, and resurrection. Ultimately, Jesus will be glorified forever at the Father’s right hand; in the Cross He will be glorified in suffering and obedience to the Father.

It is the greatest work of Jesus that He goes to the Cross. Falsely and unjustly accused and put on trial, beaten and mocked, made to carry the Cross, Jesus willingly carried it and endured the shame and pain because unending joy was set before Him. During His three years of ministry on earth, Jesus had been perfectly obedient to the Father, but the Cross was still ahead while He prayed this prayer. The goal of enduring the Cross was fully assured in His mind – the mind of God holding an unfailing plan.

The Son of God always shared in glory with God from eternity past. The universe was created by Him, and He was always with the Father and the Holy Spirit. There was no lack of His glory in any respect, yet through the Cross, Resurrection, and Ascension, that glory shared with the Father was resumed, and somehow enhanced as He perfectly fulfilled the purpose for which the Father had sent Him.

Application

Some events in our world and our country are deeply troubling, and future events will be troubling as well, unless Jesus returns in His glory. As His disciples, we must keep our eyes fixed on Him and not ultimately on the troubles of this world. He will most assuredly return for His bride, but we do not know which day or hour it will be. Our job as His Church needs to be an unwavering mission to treasure His words, believe firmly His words, and live out His words purely and practically. When the Church does this, the Church will share in His glory together.

Prayer

Lord, we glorify You alone because You are worthy to receive all glory. You endured the Cross for each of us who believe in You, and those who have not yet believed. Please move powerfully in our country, our city, our families and our neighbors to do Your good work. In Jesus’ name. Amen.