In John 17, we learn how much Jesus honored His Father, who is our God and Father also. Jesus is the greatest example of how we ought to pray to the Father. And because of this, let us read a portion of that prayer, starting with verse 1. “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.” (John 17:1-7) There is so much here, so please spend some time pondering on what Jesus said. What He spoke in this prayer is able to transform our lives, even into glorifying Jesus and the Father in the same way. So glorify the Father and the Son in prayer also.
As for what Jesus said, we learn that it was time for Jesus to receive the glory along with the Father. Since they work together, as Jesus receives glory He also glorifies the Father in the same way. We learn that the Father gave Jesus the power to give eternal life to as many as the Father says is worthy. These are the true believers of the Father and the Son. In everything Jesus did on earth, He gave glory to the Father. And the same thing is for us to give Him glory for everything we do and receive in this life. Even did Jesus finish the work that He was destined to do, which was to bring forth grace into the world and die for our sins on the cross. And praise the Lord, that Jesus did this for us. We are not worthy of all that Jesus has done and still is doing for us now. Jesus is worthy to receive the glory for all that He does. Even from the foundation of the world was Jesus glorified. Through Jesus, the Father is manifest and now we know how to come to Him, which is through the Son. As Jesus kept the words of His Father, we ought to keep the words of Jesus. We know that the words ultimately come from the Father, but we are grateful that Jesus is obeying Him and giving us His wisdom. What a prayer! There is so much wisdom here. It is my prayer that You do seek the hand of Jesus, for you shall receive.
Let us pray:
Thank You Father for sending Your Son into the world for us. He brought into this world light and light abundant. Even grace and eternal life that came from Your hand. Because Jesus died for our sins on the cross, there is forgiveness and mercy. What a great God You are. You always knew that we needed a Savior in this life, of whom Jesus was and is forever. Therefore, we glorify Jesus as we glorify the Father. You are the one true God, of whom the Son and the Spirit dwells. I will never fully understand how You all work so perfectly together. I just know that You are perfect in all Your dealings. You are so good! Your mercy endures forever. Thank You for selecting me among the millions of people in the world. Because I have You, my faith is secure in Christ Jesus unto salvation. He is my Savior and Lord of all. Thank You, Father. I give glory to You, Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We praise You. Lead us from temptation. We receive from Your hand and not the hand of the enemy. Keep us from harm’s way and on Your righteous path, oh Lord. I can find a life of holiness, righteousness, purity, love, patience, kindness, forgiveness, love, and joy from Your hand alone. Everything and everyone else will eventually fail me, but You never fail us, God. Our hope and promises are secure in Your hands alone. We worship You. We praise You. We love You. I glorify Your Name. Amen.
