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, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
-- John 17:1-5, ESV
Glory is the first theme of the first part of the Lord's prayer in John 17. The word is found five times in the first five verses of the prayer. There is glory in what Jesus is about to do, give up His life as a ransom for many, then take it up again and lead them to Heaven. God prays to God that God will get the glory. Jesus is praying in effect, that the life He has lived and the death He is about to die will make people think and act in such a way as to make God the most valued, the most influential, the most important person in the universe. This part of Jesus' prayer is answered every time someone believes the gospel and commits their life to Christ. I hope you are an answer to the Lord's prayer.
Sovereignty is the second theme. Jesus is praying as He prepares to die as an atonement for sinners, elect sinners chosen by God. Jesus prayed what He preached (read John 6:44 and 6:65). For more information on the subject of God's sovereignty in salvation, read Romans and Ephesians, then the entire Old Testament, then the rest of the New Testament. Full sovereignty and limited atonement are sound doctrines of Scripture, and they are poured out here in the Lord's prayer. Of course, also included in both testaments of the Bible is the promise, "Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved" (ref. Joel 2:32; Romans 10:13). Just know, however, if you are one of the whoever, you were able to cry out to God in repentance and faith because He first cried out to the Father in prayer for you, right here, in the Lord's prayer.
Eternity is the third subject. The salvation that the Father promises, which Jesus is praying about, is good for "eternal life." The people who will receive salvation and enjoy eternal life with God are those Jesus prayed for here, those who "know" God through Christ. This speaks of a gift understanding and comprehension that brings one into a personal relationship between the giver of the knowledge and the one who comes to know him. Eternal life ensues for whom our Lord prayed this prayer.
Finality is the fourth word. We must remember that the Lord is praying because "the hour has come." It is time for Jesus to die, and He knows it, and in doing so He will "accomplish the work," which is why we often call Christ's death on the cross His finished work. You and I cannot do what Jesus did, exactly. We were not virgin born, we have not lived sinless lives, so we cannot offer a perfect sacrifice for our, or anyone else's, sins. But we can do what Jesus prayed about doing here, we can glorify God by doing and finishing whatever work on earth He has called us to do. Jesus died for the gospel. We must live for the gospel.
The fifth part of this part of the Lord's prayer ends where the first part began, in glory. At the beginning of the prayer, glory is a verb, an action, the accumulation of a living a life and dying a death. In the end, it is a noun, a place, "in your own presence," the presence of God. If you live your life for the glory of God you will end up in glory with God. I do not think that just because I pray for a person they will get to Heaven. But I believe if Jesus prayed for them, right here during His last day on earth, they will. The Lord Jesus Christ prayed for Himself and His followers. Does the Lord's prayer include you?
Chuck DeVane is the pastor of Lake Hamilton Baptist Church in Hot Springs. Call him at 501-525-8339 or email [email protected].