The High Priestly Prayer of Jesus Christ.
In John Ch 17 we look deeply into the heart of the Son of God. The petitions are personal and intercessory, they are known as Christ's high priestly prayer. Notice verses 1-5 concerns Jesus in relation the Fathers and yet in v6-26 21 verses concerns the Disciples and all believers
A Bible Study on Christ's Glory seen through Gospel of John Chapter 17
Outline
1. Glory of His Personal Greatness, "with the Father". V5
2 Glory of His Official Position as "Interceding High Priest". V1
3 Glory of His completed Work "I have finished the Work" v4
4 Glory reflected in His people "Glorified in them" v10
This chapter constitutes the Lord' own prayer to His Father. Notice the differences in this prayer to that in the prayer the Lord Jesus taught His disciples in Matt Ch 6: 9-13 and in Luke Ch11: 2-4
Observe the Seven Petitions.
1 That Jesus may be glorified as the Son, who has glorified the Father. v1 (see also Phil.2:9-11)
2 For restoration to the eternal glory v5.
3 For the safety of believers from a). the world b). the evil one. v12
4 For Sanctification of believers v17
5 For the Spiritual unity of believers v21-23
6 That the world may believe v21
7 That believers may be with Him in heaven to behold and share His glory.V24
1. The Glory of His Personal Greatness with the Father. V1
"With the Glory which I had with thee before the world was."
The Gospel of John is concerned with the Deity of Christ. Ch1 declares that in Him are embodied all the treasures of the Divine Wisdom, and all the collective thoughts of God see (1Cor 1 v24)
In Ephesians Ch3 v11. Paul states that
"All the eternal purposes of God were entrusted in Jesus Christ" See John ch1 v1-3 and Heb. ch1 v1-2
Colossians Ch1 v19 says "It pleased the Father, that in Him should all fullness dwell
Colossians ch2 v3 In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
We are reminded in the Book of Philippians of the majesty, which was to Jesus as right and yet laid aside for the purpose of His earthy ministry. Some would say that He emptied Himself of His heavenly vesture. But in reality Jesus Christ was Divine, and nothing could change that. The much better rendering is He laid aside His majesty " It was veiled in flesh"
2. The Glory of His Official Position as Interceding High Priest v1-3
The book of Hebrews Ch1. V3 reminds us that.
When He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high see also Rom.5. v12
Ch2 v9 says
But we see Jesus who was made a little lower than the angels, For the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor.
In speaking or thinking of the Glory of the Lord Jesus, we must either distinguish, as He did, between the glory which He had with the Father before the worlds were made, and that of the glory which accrued to Him in His role as Interceding High priest, and the result of His Human life.
The former was His by inherited right as the Son of Jehovah; the other was given to Him by the Father.
3. The Glory of the completed work "I have finished" v4
I have brought you Glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
What was that work? (See Daniel 9. v24)
Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness.
Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith has entered within the veil and leaving us His divine footsteps for us to follow in (See Hebrews Ch.10 :v19-23)
"Having therefore brethren boldness to enter into the holiest by a new and living way which He hath consecrated for us through the veil"
4. The Glory reflected in His people " Glorified in them" v10
All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.
A man can say "all mine are Thine" but only Jesus could say "All Thine are mine" This is a claim of perfect equality with God.
Wonderful is the grace that reveals the desires, and the privileges that flow from His care. For His loved people, here we hear the Son conversing with the Father respecting their common love for sinful men, and here the very heart of the Great Shepherd is laid open. (See Psalms Ch ‘s 22-24)
