Father, The Hour Has Come

As noted in last week’s post, I was drawn to the Gospel of John Chapter 17. At least one part of the chapter was very familiar to me, but God’s Word is filled with messages, wisdom, and encouragement. At the same time that I felt the significance of Jesus spending so much time in prayer at this particular time, I had several other key insights. I think this prayer of our Lord is very significant and I am so thankful to have really read it more thoroughly and learned more about my Lord.

We know from the first verse that Jesus was aware of what lay ahead. “After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so He can give glory back to you.” V1. Other than the prayer that follows this scene in the Garden of Gethsemane, this seems like the most intimate, passionate prayer from the Son to the Heavenly Father! 

Here are four key insights that I was excited to come away with.

Jesus declared how we are to have eternal life very clearly in verse 3. “And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.” This means we have a relationship with Christ, and Christ’s love will live in us through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus confirmed in verse 5 once again that He and the Father are one, even before the world began! “Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.” (John 17:5) This comes during such a crucial time, it was just very convicting for me. The statement seems to be said with such authority. It should leave no doubt that the Father and the Son are One.

A third message I see in this chapter is that there has now been this tremendous transfer of mission, knowledge, and understanding. In verses 7-8 Jesus gave His disciples the message the Father have Him. “They accepted it and know that I came from you and they believe you sent me.” 

(John 17:8b) And now Jesus has tasked the disciples with taking the message into the world. “Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.” (John 17:18) Not only did Jesus pray for the disciples but He was also praying for all who would believe their message!! To me this is a powerful affirming statement: “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.” 

(John 17:20)  I’m directly connected to my Lord and savior through this prayer! That is remarkable! Then comes the very familiar verse to all my YMCA friends. “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one - as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” (John 17:21) Jesus had a burning desire that His disciples would become one. Unified, they would be a powerful voice telling of God’s love. 

He’s not done yet. Affirming, connecting statements complete His prayer : 

“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.” 

(John 17:22-26)

This is “all in”, “solidarity”, and “unified” all wrapped in one!! If we are following His commands then we will continue to ‘transfer’ the Good News to those around us. His Kingdom will multiply again and again before His return!

Lastly, verse 13 really grabbed my attention as well. “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy.” (John 17:13) The idea of being filled with His immeasurable joy is very exciting. If the disciples were filled with that joy, then believers can also be filled with that joy. Isn’t God good? He is a God of such joy!!

Remember, this is no ordinary prayer, even for our Lord. He is about to leave the Upper Room and head to the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane where the betrayal takes place. This is Jesus the Messiah, the Son of David, Immanuel, God is with us.

Praise be to God. He has given us a source of immeasurable joy in His Son!

"His faithful love endures forever."

Until next time...

Chaplain Gray