John 17:1-9 CSB
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. [6] "I have revealed your name to the people you gave me from the world. They were yours, you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. [7] Now they know that everything you have given me is from you, [8] because I have given them the words you gave me. They have received them and have known for certain that I came from you. They have believed that you sent me. [9] "I pray for them. I am not praying for the world but for those you have given me, because they are yours.
Threefold Prayer
I have to be honest: prayer is often a weak area of my life. It takes finding a quiet time and preparing my mind by reading God’s Word and reflecting on what was read. I often find it helpful to start with prayers already written by giants of the faith—words that speak the truths I need to hear and confess. When I do this, my mind becomes settled and focused on communion with God. Prayer is no longer something rushed in a way that might dishonor Him, but something coming from a heart that rests in a loving Father.
John 17 contains the longest prayer of Jesus recorded in the Bible. It is a prayer spoken just before the great trial that would cause our Lord to sweat blood in Gethsemane. I can see Jesus lifting His eyes to heaven, a common Jewish custom that continues in many traditions today. In this passage, we see a beautiful order: Jesus prays for Himself, then for His disciples, and finally for all believers.
When we pray, it is fitting to ask for the things that increase God’s glory before we turn to other things. In this prayer, Jesus speaks words intended to strengthen the faith of those listening. This prayer was written down and preserved for us in the Bible because it holds the essential truths the Church is called to believe and teach:
- The Son is of the same essence as the Father. To glorify the Son is to glorify the Father.
- The Son has authority over all people.
- The Son gives eternal life to all those the Father has given to Him.
- Jesus obeyed and glorified the Father perfectly during His ministry on earth.
- Jesus was glorified and with the Father before the world began.
- Jesus did not do His own will, but spoke the words of the Father.
- Jesus intercedes for us. He prays for those who belong to the Father.
The followers of Jesus who stood near Him as He prayed these words were about to enter a time of darkness. Within hours, the words of this prayer would be tested by the confusion of the moment. Jesus’ betrayal was at hand.
It was only after the Resurrection that the full depth of Jesus’ ministry broke through. On the cross—the debt for every one of their sins was paid in full. There was nothing left for them to settle. The Father is glorified. Souls are saved. Not through the work of men, but through the work of the Father. This work that Jesus finished on the cross still brings forgiveness today.
Reflection Questions
- When your own words feel weak or insufficient, how does it comfort you to know that Jesus is currently interceding and praying for you (John 17:9)?
- Jesus defines eternal life as “knowing” the Father and the Son. Since this knowledge isn’t just “facts” about God, how does hearing His voice through the Word help you “know” Him as a living, personal reality rather than just a figure from a history book?
- Verse 2 says the Father gave Jesus authority to give eternal life to “everyone you have given him.” How does it change your perspective on your faith to realize that you are a gift from the Father to the Son?
Prayer
Father,
We look to heaven with Your Son and thank You that the “hour” of our salvation is complete. We confess that our own prayers are often hurried or weak, but we thank You that Jesus never ceases to intercede for us. Thank You for the gift of Your Word, which reveals Your name and Your heart to us. Work in us by Your Holy Spirit, that we would not rely on our own strength to “keep” Your word, but rather trust that You are the one who keeps us in Your grace. May our lives reflect the glory of the Son, who has made us Your own children.
Amen.
