John 17:1-5 (CSB) 1 Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you gave him authority over all people, so that he may give eternal life to everyone you have given him. 3 This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent —Jesus Christ. 4 I have glorified you on the earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 Now, Father, glorify me in your presence with that glory I had with you before the world existed.
Jesus has just finished telling us how much the Father actually loves us and that we are going to have suffering in the world. However, since God loves us and answers our prayers and Jesus has overcome the world, we can be courageous and have peace and great hope.
Now, Jesus moves so naturally and easily to prayer, and he prays for himself and the mission and then all the people the Father has given him out of the world he is about to liberate from the death grip of the world.
Pay attention to how Jesus prays for himself and the mission of God, the “Missio Dei”.
The hour has come. Jesus has been on the mission plan laid out before the foundation of the world. There was the set time he would be lifted up on a cross to pay for the curse of sin, and the time is here. Jesus acknowledges where they are in the work.
Glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you. Jesus greatly desires that the Father, through this act of sacrifice for sin, display the Son and Father’s glory. Jesus wants us to see God.
Moses asked to see God’s glory, and he got to see the backside of it. Jesus asks for us to see God’s glory, and we get the full deal. All of God’s perfection is put on display in justice, mercy, kindness, grace, and a host of incalculable glories in one redemptive act. Sit in that quietly for a few moments before moving on.
Since God has given Jesus authority over all people, Jesus can give eternal life to everyone the Father has given to him. Wow. Jesus acknowledges his power over humanity in order to purchase eternal life for all those the Father has given the Son. Jesus possesses all power in heaven and earth, yet he lays down his life in love for the people the Father has given him.
This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent – Jesus Christ. What is eternal life? What is it that Jesus is giving to us? The glorious ability to know God, see his glory not just the backside of it. We get all of God in Father, Son, and Spirit as eternal life, and we have eternal life now because of Jesus. Eternal life is not yet to come, it is the present reality for those who are in Christ.
This is glorious stuff, and it’s the kind of things angels long to see and experience, yet it is reserved for us. So, try this to enjoy it:
- Sit quietly, relaxed, and all noise off.
- Place your feet flat on the ground.
- Place your palms up as best you can. Signify to the Lord you are open and ready to receive.
- Close your eyes to keep any distractions out.
- Take deep breaths, and pay attention to your breathing.
- Quietly ask the Holy Spirit to show you more of Jesus so you can see more of God the Father’s glory in the cross.
- Now, sit in his presence and enjoy the sound of silence that God dwells in.
- Receive all the Spirit would give you as you marvel at the cross of Jesus Christ.
- Take note of the peace and joy he brings.
- Close your time with a simple and heartfelt, “Thank you!”
Theology in the Dirt 