 |
| turnbacktogod.com |
Scripture: John 17:1-5
Focus Verse: “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you,
the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3 (NIV)
In this
chapter, Jesus spends time in prayer. He sets an example for us. Here He is;
His time is getting short and he takes time to pray.
He
begins by praying to the Father for himself. This is a very intimate time
between Him and the Father. William Barclay states this intimacy between Jesus
and God can only happen because of Calvary.1 He describes the cross as the
gateway to everlasting glory.2
We
realize Jesus obeyed the Father by going to Jerusalem; he could have turned
back at any time. When Jesus spoke to the disciples he used harsh terms as he prepared
them for what lay ahead for them all. Here Jesus speaks of His being glorified
and returning to the glory he had before the world began.
When
Jesus speaks of His being ‘glorified’, He is speaking of his being crucified.
“For Jesus life had a climax and that was the Cross. To him the cross was the glory
of life and the way to the glory of eternity.”3 “The Cross was the glory of
Jesus because it was the completion of His work.”4
Children
of God observe and reflect on the crucifixion as when Jesus became sin for us.
Had He not chose to be obedient to God; none of us would be deemed sinless and
would not be allowed to enter heaven.
1. Daily Study Bible, The Gospel of John, pp.206-207,
Westminster Press, Philadelphia © 1975
2. Ibid. p. 207
3. Ibid, p. 204
4. Ibid. p. 205
It is interesting that He prays for Himself indeed, a good example for us to follow... Speaking with our Heavenly Father about the matters that are deep in our heart.
ReplyDeleteMarja: I have had to learn to pray for myself. As a child, I was taught not to ask for things from other people. It seemed to carry over into my prayerlife. I am trying to do better about asking God for things. Blessings on you and yours.
Delete