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Weekly Message | April 26th, 2009
Passage: John 17:1-5
Key Verse(s): 1
In the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke we read about Jesus' struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane. John 17 is Jesus' High Priestly Prayer which is magnificent in scale and depth. Its content covers the attributes of God and his glorious purpose, eternal life, the values of disciples, and God’s church throughout generations. This prayer is particularly important for us in that we discover our glorious purpose, position, and privileges.
John chapter 17 has three parts: (1) Jesus' prayer for his glory (1-5); (2) Jesus' prayer for his disciples (6-19); (3) Jesus' prayer for all believers (20-26). Let's read the key verse 1 together: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you." The main point of his prayer is, "Glorify your Son." This prayer teaches us the purpose of his life and ministrythe glory of God.
First, "Glorify your Son, so that your Son may glorify you" (1). Now Jesus’ long Upper Room discourse and Vineyard Lecture are over (Jn 13-16). Look at verse 1a: "After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed." At this moment, Jesus looked toward heaven. Jesus lifted his eyes and opened his heart to God. Jesus did not pray to the sky or to the clouds. Jesus went to and addressed the Father. Jesus referred to the first Person of God as his “Father”. Jesus chose the word "Father" to describe his relationship with God. To Jesus God is his Father, full of authority, power, love, and wisdom.
Jesus said, “The time has come.” This was in reference to the upcoming events of Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion. Now the time had come for Jesus to die on the cross. Once John the Baptist had said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (Jn 1:29). In Jesus’ mind, it was time for glory. Jesus' death is for the moment of God's glory. He was preparing for this important moment.
The cross of Jesus is central to God’s purpose of salvation. God has planned Jesus' death on the cross from all eternity. God said to the first man Adam just before his departure from the Garden of Eden, "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel" (Ge 3:15). Satan would strike the heel of Jesus, damage him and cause him suffering; but Jesus would crush the head of Satan. The victory belongs to Jesus.
All of the events of history were arranged to fit this purpose. God chose Abraham for this glorious purpose. God chose the nation Israel for this purpose. The Roman rule of the world and all the surrounding political circumstances in Judea were all configured to fulfill the glorious purpose of Jesus' death on the cross. Paul says in Galatians 4:4, "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the full rights of sons."
Look at verse 1b: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you." Jesus' main prayer request is that God may glorify him. Glory is about revelation and honor. Jesus is appealing to God to reveal himself fully through his death. Jesus asks God to exalt him above all names in power, strength, and honor (Rev 7:12). The reason is clear. The exalted Jesus is to glorify God. The final goal is to reveal God and honor him.
Here is a secret of powerful personal prayerclarity in request and purpose. On numerous occasions Jesus prayed to God. His prayer had central purposehis own glory and the glory of God. Billy Graham said, “My one purpose in life is to help people find a personal relationship with God, which I believe, comes through knowing Christ”. He so clearly defines his single life purpose. Our life prayer topic needs to be clear in that we know what we ask for and we commit to. We ask God for jobs, food, strength, wisdom, healing, peace, and comfort in this life. Even in these essential requests it is important to be clear. Such prayers of seeking God's favor are sound. Nehemiah prayed to God saying, “Remember me for this, O my God…Remember me for this also, O my God, and show mercy to me according to your great love…Remember me with favor, O my God" (Ne 13:11-14, 22, 31). Many people prayed like this: "Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD" (Ps. 25:7). "Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people, come to my aid when you save them" (Ps 106:4). A thief on the cross said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Lk 23:42). All these prayers are clear and earnest.
Now observe this pattern of Jesus’ prayer, “Glorify your Son, so that your Son may glorify you.” The first part is what we ask God for ourselves, the second part is what we do for God. God honors those who honor him (1Sa 2:30). In fact, this is the pattern of our prayer. We ask God for his mercy first and we respond to God. We ask our requests first and then commit to God. “Save me, O Lord, so that I may serve you.” “Make me a blessing, that I may share your glory.” Too often we make our commitment to God only after experiencing his blessings. God in his great mercy recognizes that we respond better to his blessings. Therefore, we should be clear in asking our requests and being faithful to commit to God. This is the pattern of prayer that we learn from Jesus.
Second, "This is eternal lifeto know God and his Son Jesus Christ" (2-3). Look at verse 2: "For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him." Through Jesus’ death on the cross, God reveals Jesus’ authority in heaven and earth (Mt 28:18). Jesus’ authority is about giving eternal life to those whom God chose. This has been the hidden mystery (Eph 3:1-13).
Then what is eternal life? Look at verse 3: "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." Nowhere in the Old Testament is eternal life ever defined so clearly as in John 17:3. Eternal life is defined in terms of our relationship with the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ. The word "know" is used to describe intimate relationships, usually the relationship between a husband and a wife (e.g., Adam knew his wife (Ge 4:1 KJV). Knowing God is to be close to God. It is to be near to God. It is to become God’s friends. Based on this, the Westminster Catechism says, "The chief end of man is to know God and enjoy him forever."
What is so wonderful about knowing the true God? Knowing is good. This life becomes productive if we know about things. Those who know enough about teeth are good dentists. By knowing about anything deeply enough, we become experts in various fields. The world rewards our skills. This is an important reason for choosing a major in college and engaging in lifelong learning. By knowing people we become happy. Jim Paul remembers the day he met his bride. Russell Kille remembers the day of bringing his son Caleb home with his wife, Ruth. This life’s journey is meaningful because we come to know people who become our friends. This life is worth living because of people we love.
Beyond knowing people, we need to know God. Our life’s greatest needs are deep and wide-emptiness, loneliness, meaninglessness, and fears. Who will fill our emptiness? Who is to satisfy our lonely souls? Who will provide meaning in this life? Who will be with us in the moments of real fear? Things we know and the people we love would never be able to satisfy our deep needs in the most satisfying manner. The only true God is worthy of our worship and honor because he makes what is impossible with us possible.
In this life, there are too many things that are impossible with men. But this life has to go on. We struggle with issues that are possible only with God. How can we find possibilities in this life without knowing God? Too often we meet our limitations with life’s greater challenges. Can a father help his son? Can a mother really help her daughter always? Can a son help his mom and dad to the end? Can a friend really help his friends? No, we are not able to; but God rewards those who earnestly seek him (Heb 11:6). By knowing God we know what to do with this life.
What is so exciting about knowing Jesus Christ? Jesus is the Mediator between God and man. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. We are too far away from God. Can you contact President Obama by simply pick up your phone and calling him? He is too far away from most of us. The awesome God is exceedingly farther away from us. We can never shorten this distance between God and us. It is Jesus who connects us to God. It is Jesus who sympathizes with our weaknesses, sanctifies our sins, presents and defends us in God’s presence (Heb 2:17-18; 1Jn 2:1).
Because of Jesus, we stand before God. Because of Jesus, we stand before people in this world with joy and strength. Because of Jesus we approach the true God with boldness. Knowing God through Jesus Christ is so assuring and comforting to us. We can stand before God. We walk with God. Even in eternity we enjoy the company of the holy and mighty God because of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the essence of Christian faith for which we are exceedingly happy.
Third, "I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work" (4-5). Look at verse 4: "I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do." Jesus completed the work of his mission. Jesus healed the sick, made the blind able to see, and made the lame able to walk. Jesus obeyed God and fulfilled the prophecies spoken in the Old Testament. He fulfilled his mission through his death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead.
Jesus came to this world to complete what God gave him to do. Then what kind of work did Jesus complete? Jesus came into this world for the work which he alone could do. People may build beautiful bridges, huge buildings, engage in fantastic business projects, and do political works. The history of many great nations shows such wonderful works of people. Jesus could delegate all those things to others. Jesus came to this world to do what God alone can do. He came to this world to complete the work of the Savior and Lord. Many mighty men dared to stand in the boxing ring and fight with Satan. In a matter of seconds, they were all wounded and knocked down by Satan's powerful punch. Through the death of God's Son on the cross, the power of Satan was crushed and demolished. Our salvation is exclusively and entirely based on the completed work of Christ. Jesus is the final revelation and he completed all the necessary foundation of our eternal salvation. God begins a good work in us and carries it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Php 1:4-6).
Soon this semester will be over. Some students will finish all the requirements and end their high school or college life. One end becomes another beginning. In this journey, all ends are for the real beginning. In this life much is given by God’s grace. Much is also taken away from us. But no matter what is taken out of our lives, one thing always remains. The moment we receive eternal life, we have our eyes set and look toward heaven. We focus on knowing God, the one true God and Jesus Christ. Jesus prayed, "Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you." Like Jesus we pray, "Remember me and hear my cry for your mercy, that I may glorify you."
April 26, 2009; Dr. Paul Hong; Toledo UBF.
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
