Hello readers, I missed my post last week because I had some troubles with my back that put me down for most of the week. I’m here again and continuing with the prayer series.
Today we will look at a prayer found in John 17:1-26. It is the longest recorded prayer of our Savior. In chronological sequence, it occurred before Jesus’ prayer in the garden of Gethsemane and his prayers on the cross, the subject of my previous two posts.
Due to the length, I will cover this in multiple posts. We will start with the introduction, verses one through five, where Jesus prays for himself.
Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you gave him authority over all people, so that he may give eternal life to everyone you have given him. This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent—Jesus Christ. I have glorified you on the earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, glorify me in your presence with that glory I had with you before the world existed” (John 17:1-5, CSB).
The Father’s Authority
“The hour has come…” Jesus is acknowledging agreement with the Father, it is time—the time of revealing the fulfillment of the Father’s plan. Jesus, the Son of God, one person of the Holy Trinity, obedient in all things submits to the Father’s authority, he does not dictate to the Father. Let that simmer a bit. Do we willingly wait for the Father’s timing in our lives? When something feels long in coming, do we wait, or do we push ahead by our own means and ways? Jesus waited 33 years for this moment, always trusting and surrendering to the Father’s authority.
The Son’s Focus
In the midst of prayer for himself, Jesus had holy, pure motives in his request. He had a Kingdom focus. His desire was so that the Father may be glorified. Every facet of Jesus’ life in human flesh was driven by his desire to magnify God Almighty—the Creator.
The Son’s Purpose
Humanity’s fellowship with God was broken when the first man and woman (Adam and Eve) sinned in the Garden of Eden. They were exiled from the Garden and sentenced to death with every human thereafter. All humans are mortal beings subject to death. Jesus came to reconcile sinful mankind with our Maker. He affirms that, “I have glorified you on the earth by completing the work you gave me to do.” What work? The work of the cross.
Life Priority
What can we glean from this portion of Jesus’ prayer? Make it a life priority to submit to the Father’s authority in everything. Jesus says, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. The one who doesn’t love me will not keep my words” (John 14:23-24a, CSB).
Kingdom Focus
We see Jesus had a Kingdom focus in both his prayer and in the way he lived life. Do your prayers have a Kingdom focus or are they more me-focused? Do your prayers ever sound like you’re talking to a voice-activated vending machine rather than the Sovereign God—Creator of everything.
Humanity’s Purpose
Like Jesus, we each have a purpose. In basic aspect it is the same as Jesus: to glorify God and make disciples. We honor God with our lives in various ways through our gifts from Him. “And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11, CSB). Jesus commissioned the first disciples to make more disciples—to reproduce. That command has not been revoked. “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, CSB).
Reflection
Readers let’s ask, do my prayers reflect genuine praise and submission to the Father’s authority? Does my life acknowledge and reveal the majesty and splendor of God? Am I reproducing disciples by fulfilling the plan and purpose the Father has given me?
Prayer
Father God, thank You for preserving this prayer of Jesus so that we can observe Him and learn from Him just like the first disciples. Thank You for endowing each person of Your creation with a plan and a purpose. Give us patience to wait for Your timing in the fulfillment of that plan. During that unfolding cause us to live as Jesus did, obedient to You in all things. Make us bold enough to invite others as Jesus did. Make us committed to never waiver from Your ultimate call. Transform our minds and hearts to align with Your Kingdom. We pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Author Bio
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, grandmother, great-grandmother, foster care parent, and trauma survivor. I enjoy sipping tea, writing devotionals, prayers, short stories, and unburdening my heart to the Lord. Check the About page if you want to read more of my story.
Would you like to know more about the afterlife and how you can be assured of eternity in Heaven? Check the Questions page.
Check the Free Gifts page for downloadable/printable study guides and resources.
Copyright © 2020-2023 Musings of Manette Kay™ All rights reserved. Requests to the author and publisher, Manette Kay, for permission.
Image of Jesus sculpture by 499585 from Pixabay.
Scripture text added by Manette Kay.
musingsofmanettekay.com 
I often ponder the Lords prayer in John 17 Manette. He had finished his work and yet he was setting his face to the cross to finish HIs work. We think in linear terms and often we see God does not. The surety of our salvation is like that, We are saved (From penalty) when we believe in him and we are being saved (continuous sanctification) and we will be saved (from sins presence and finally present with the Lord).
I love your reflection and prayer. Thanks
LikeLiked by 2 people
Very well said, Gary. I appreciate your comments. Peace and blessings in our Lord Jesus.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was thinking of doing a post on God’s authority in our lives. I am so glad you wrote about this. You did a marvelous job. 😊 Hope your back continues to heal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lena. May God get the glory for both my back and the writing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jesus lived, and was a model of, holy humility. Jesus did not claim divine authority, or cosmic power, though both were a part of Christ’s persona. Yet we humans, frail and mortal and truly finite, abuse the message to approach “boldly the throne of grace” as an invitation to confront God with arrogance and claim what is due us, even when it is not due us! We do not rejoice when God is glorified by our life, standing instead with satisfaction that we are gifted to do mighty things. God Jesus submitted to God the Father in order to fulfill the divine mission of salvation, despite the trauma that lay ahead. We humans complain about every inconvenience, ignoring what Jesus really did for us. That humility of Jesus shakes my soul; humility is a God-like attribute. Words fail me at this point…
Peace
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and commenting. Peace and blessings in our Lord Jesus.
LikeLike
I’ve always been struck by His prayer topic of our unity in the garden. Hoping your back issue isn’t a prolonged visitor. God’s grip – Alan
LikeLiked by 1 person
The point you mention will be the topic for another part to this post. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Amen! I hope for it to not be prolonged or a returning issue. But I am extremely grateful that today it’s 90% better than last week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am struck by Jesus’ focus on others as he prayed (vs. 6-26). He was going to need incredible strength, endurance, and self-discipline to get through the next twenty hours or so, yet he asked for none of those things; he prayed for his disciples and for us–those who would come after him. As the old hymn proclaimed, what a Savior!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am too, Nancy. That’s where this will be headed, you and others know what is coming up in subsequent parts. Thanks for reading and commenting.
LikeLike
This is the first series I have seen on this prayer Manette, and after part 1 I love it! It is very well done sister and challenging, thank you.
For some reason I haven’t been getting notifications about your posts, so now I am playing catch up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I often have to do catch up reading due life duties and priorities. There are so many good writers and devotionals, I can’t read them all everyday.
Your comment and encouragement means a lot to me. I trust your solid biblical knowledge. I want to always be confident in the truth of scripture, rightly present it, and stay humble and teachable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My source of Biblical knowledge is just this Manette: “I am just a poor soul showing other poor souls where I find bread.” Your approach, “staying humble and teachable” is the best way for sure. I pray that you have a blessed Lord’s Day sister.
LikeLiked by 1 person