John 17:1-2 1Jesus spoke these things, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son, in order that the Son may glorify you, 2just as you gave him authority over all flesh, in order that to all whom you have given him, he may give eternal life.
The next part of the five-chapter unit of John, where Jesus dialogues with his disciples at the last meal, shifts to prayer. The prayer is a fitting ending to the Farewell Discourse of chapters. Jesus no longer addresses his disciples but his heavenly Father. The prayer is the closing event of the Last Supper, as the transition in 18:1 indicates. Jesus’ prayer shifted to his suffering when he went to the garden in Gethsemane, where he prayed for clarity for his impending suffering and death. The prayer here in John 17 is more of an intercession for his fearful disciples and those who would follow. It has been traditionally called Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer because of this intercession. As in Gethsemane, here Jesus seeks to glorify the Father and recalls 12:28, forming a theological inclusio surrounding the Last Supper.
The prayer is connected to the previous chapters and shares many themes. What Jesus told his disciples he now prays for. His prayers are always answered because he prays in the Father’s will. What he prays in this chapter, we can be assured that it has or will be answered. Many significant thoughts are found in this prayer, which serves as a summary of all that Jesus has done and said to this point in John’s Gospel. Jesus spent much time in prayer throughout his ministry. A few prayers are recorded. This chapter is the longest and most detailed prayer. It provides us a window into not only how Jesus prayed but his love for his disciples and those who would believe in him because of their testimony.
Jesus first prays for himself in verses 1-5. His prayer is addressed to the Father, who is later called “Holy Father” (verse 11) and “Righteous Father” (verse 25). Jesus as the obedient Son and perfect representation of the Father has been a key theme throughout John’s Gospel. The intimacy of this relationship is expressed as love that extends to the world, and those who believe experience it in saving ways. The hour refers to Jesus’ impending suffering through trial, scourging, and crucifixion. Jesus said many times that the hour had not come (2:4; 7:6, 8, 30; 8:20). In his last discourse, he changed this by saying that the hour has come (12:23, 27–28, 31–32; 13:1, 31). The coming of this hour is what prompted this prayer.
Verses 1 and 2 have two purpose clauses (hina). Jesus’ first petition is for him, as the Son, to be glorified in order that the Father may ultimately receive the glory. Because the hour had come, it was time for the Son to be glorified. Jesus would be glorified by the world’s effort to shame him. However, all who believe in him interpret the cross as the moment of his glorification, not of shaming. Through his obedience unto death, he would bring glory to the Father because of his perfect obedience in fulfilling the Father’s plan of salvation.
Verse 2 gives the basis for the petition of verse 1 marked by just as. The glory of the Son was evident in and based on his authority over all creation (flesh, sarkos). His universal authority is recognized by those who believe in him. Human acceptance of his authority does not determine if he has it or not but rather if people will receive the benefit of acknowledging as the King of kings and Lord of lords. His authority allows him to grant eternal life. Eternal life comes through the Son, who is the Life (14:6). We become participants in the Son’s glory by believing in him and experiencing his gift of eternal life.
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