John 17:1

Context:John 17 is often referred to as the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus. It occurs immediately after the Last Supper, where Jesus has finished speaking to His disciples and is now praying to the Father. This chapter contains Jesus’ heartfelt prayer for Himself, His disciples, and all future believers.

Jesus’ Words:The verse begins by mentioning that Jesus spoke these words, indicating that the following prayer is the content of His speech. It is important to note that Jesus lifted up His eyes to heaven, symbolizing His connection with the Father and the divine nature of His prayer.

Father, the Hour is Come:Jesus addresses God as the Father, emphasizing the intimate relationship between Him and the Father. The phrase “the hour is come” refers to the approaching culmination of Jesus’ earthly ministry through His crucifixion, death, and resurrection. This phrase indicates that Jesus is aware that His mission is about to be fulfilled.

Glorify Thy Son:Jesus requests the Father to glorify Him. The glorification of the Son refers to the exaltation, honor, and display of His divine nature and authority. This request implies that Jesus desires to be lifted up and acknowledged as the Son of God.

That Thy Son Also May Glorify Thee:Jesus expresses that His own glorification is directly related to the Father’s glorification. By glorifying the Son, the Father is also glorified. This reciprocal relationship between Jesus and the Father highlights their unity and mutual desire for glory.

Overall, John 17:1 captures the pivotal moment before Jesus’ crucifixion, where He prays to the Father, acknowledging the nearing fulfillment of His mission and requesting His own glorification, which in turn brings glory to the Father. It reveals the deep relationship between Jesus and the Father and their shared purpose in displaying the divine nature to the world.

As you continue to study the rest of John 17, you will find Jesus’ intercession for His disciples and His future followers, emphasizing unity, sanctification, and the spread of the Gospel message.