Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You.” (John 17:1)
The Lord’s Prayer
John 17 records what perhaps should really be called The Lord’s Prayer. The prayer given in Matt 6:9-13 which is usually given that title by Christians over the centuries is really a prayer for Jesus’ disciples, while John 17 records Jesus’ own prayer.
Perhaps to avoid the confusion it might be better to call it The Lord’s Farewell Prayer considering the occasion was His farewell words to the disciples. It is certainly a prayer of Christ’s consecration towards undergoing the cross, and yet it largely expresses His concern for His disciples, those present before Him and those who would believe through their witness – including us. As a result it is also often called The Lord’s High Priestly Prayer (cf Isa 53:12).
One thing is clear, we are wonderfully privileged to hear our Saviour praying for us and how He does so. It both supports us as ‘He opens the depths of His holy heart’ (Luther) and teaches us concerning prayer by means of this example.
As Martyn Lloyd-Jones reminds us, in listening to this prayer we learn of our security – ‘I know of nothing which is more encouraging and more exhilarating than that. There is no greater ground of security in this world of time than to feel that you are a part of the grand plan and purpose of God. None of these things are accidental, none of them fortuitous. … My friend if you are a Christian, do you know that you were the object of God’s interest and concern before the foundation of the world?’ ‘Here, in this prayer, the Lord … shows us the source of our security and strength in this world. That the Lord Jesus Christ has prayed for you.’
Here he adds we also ‘learn what is our relationship with the world, and our business in it. We have not only been saved for our sakes, we have been saved in order that we may pass on this good news to others, “…even so I sent them”. He was leaving them in the world with a message.’