(Slide 1) Jesus Prayed for Himself John 17:1-5 Please turn to the Gospel of John, Chapter 17. The author of the Gospel of John is John. No surprise there. John was the son of Zebedee and Salome. Many scholars say that John was Jesus' nephew and John's mother, Salome, was Jesus' sister. John's father was a fisherman of Galilee, and John followed in his father's footsteps. Salome attended Jesus in many of his travels and ministered to his needs. When Jesus hung on the cross, he committed his mother, Mary, into John's care. Mary lived in John's home for about 15 years. John knew the High Priest, perhaps showing that he was connected to important people of the day. John was the youngest of the Apostles and lived to the oldest age, which was probably near 100 years old. John was part of Jesus' inner circle, which also included John's brother, James, and Peter. They were the only disciples present when Jesus raised the daughter of Jairus from the dead. They were the sole witnesses at the Mount of Transfiguration when Jesus was visibly glorified. They were Jesus' only companions when he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane just before his death. John had a particularly close friendship with Jesus. He reclined on the chest of Jesus at the Last supper. He was called "the beloved disciple" and "the disciple who Jesus loved." In his later life, John was banished to the Island of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. He returned from Patmos to Ephesus and lived peacefully for a few years until his death. Many scholars believe that John is the only Apostle who was not murdered for his beliefs. (Slide 2) John's Gospel dwells on the divine character of Jesus more than the other three Gospels. Mathew, Mark, and Luke told what Jesus did. John recorded who Jesus is and described Jesus' doctrine. John's Gospel is more personal and tender than the others. John provides more information related to Jesus' early ministry than Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Perhaps he learned some things from Jesus' mother, when she lived with him after the crucifixion.
John states the purpose of his gospel in Chapter 20:31. Its purpose is to show that Jesus is the Son of God and those who believe in Jesus receive eternal life. The book was probably written to Gentiles because it explains words and customs that would have been familiar to Jews. John's writing style in the original Greek indicates that John was uneducated. I'd swap all of my education for John's face-to-face time with Jesus. Wouldn't you? This Gospel is simple, plain, and unpolished, yet very beautiful. (Slide 3) Today we will begin to look at Chapter 17. This chapter has been called the Holy of Holies of John's Gospel. The Holy of Holies was the part of the temple that was the inner most sanctuary. It was the place of closest communion with God. Chapter 17 is An account of Jesus' closest communion with God. There is a prayer in Matthew 6 and Luke 11 that Jesus taught to his disciples. It starts off with the words, "Our Father who is in heaven, hollowed is your name." We often call this prayer the Lord's Prayer. This prayer is a model prayer given by Jesus to guide our prayers, but it isn't a prayer that Jesus prayed. John Chapter 17 is the real Lord's Prayer. Chapter 17 is a prayer that Jesus, God the Son, prayed to God the Father. This prayer is the longest prayer found in the New Testament. This prayer occurred during the most solemn of all circumstances. Jesus knew the cross was close at hand, and he would leave his disciples. This prayer gives us a glimpse into the heart of Jesus that surpasses almost any portion of the Bible. This prayer has been Called the High Priestly Prayer. (Slide 4) There are three divisions to Chapter 17. 1. Jesus prayed for himself. (17: 1-5) 2. Jesus prayed for his disciples (17:6-19) 3. Jesus prayed for his church (17:20-26) (Slide 5) John 17: 1-5. (1) After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. (2) For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.
(3) Now, this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (4) I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. (5) And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. The great theme of these verses is that Jesus would soon finish the work of salvation. Jesus stepped from heaven to Earth to purchase salvation for everyone who will accept him. He finished that assignment of sacrificial love on the cross. His obedience glorified God. (Slide 6) (1) After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. Verse 1 begins, "After Jesus said this." What had Jesus just said? Jesus had just said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Jesus was giving last minute departing advice to his closest friends. It was time for Jesus to take a journey to the cross, to die, and return to heaven. Lesslie Newbigin, the great Anglican leader and missionary to India, said, "When a man is going on a long journey, he will find time on the eve of his departure for a quiet talk with his family. If he is a man of God, he will end by commending to God not only himself and his journey, but also the family who he leaves behind. Very surely will this be so if his journey is the last journey." Jesus faced his final journey on earth, and he took time to have a quiet talk with his disciples before he left. Verse 1 tells us that, after Jesus talked about overcoming the world, he looked toward heaven and prayed. Jews commonly raised their eyes when they prayed. For example, Jesus looked up to pray at Lazarus' tomb, just before Lazarus was raised from the dead. From these few words, we know that Jesus was a man of prayer. Jesus went to quiet places to pray. Jesus prayed out loud in front of crowds. Jesus stood to pray. Jesus knelt to pray. Jesus prayed for the sick, the oppressed, and the lost. Prayer was a priority for Jesus. Is prayer a priority for you?
The first thing Jesus prayed was, "Father, the time has come." That meant the appointed hour of his suffering and death had arrived. The last few events of Jesus' life would soon occur. Within minutes, a mob would arrest Jesus, and his sacrificial death march would begin. This statement about his hour arriving was similar to his prayer a few days earlier when he entered Jerusalem in preparation for Passover. There Jesus prayed, "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say?" Father, save me from this hour?' No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour." Jesus' time had come. Jesus and God the Father knew about this time from the beginning of time. They knew about this time before the world was created. They knew about this time before they created man, and man sinned. They knew about this time before the beginning of the Jewish system of animal sacrifice to cover sin. They knew there would be an hour when it was time for Jesus to become the permanent sacrifice for sin. Now, this time had come. Notice how Jesus describes the crucifixion he would endure to buy our forgiveness. Look at verse 1. "Glorify your son." Jesus didn't view the cross as its intended place of horror and shame. Jesus knew his cross would be a place of honor and glory. To Jesus it was glory not gory. When Lazarus died, Jesus said the death was for God's glory, because Lazarus would be raised. Jesus' death would glorify God, because Jesus would be raised. Jesus prayed for himself. Have you ever wondered if it is OK for you to pray for yourself? Have you ever thought that praying for yourself might be too selfish? It's OK for us to pray for ourselves because Jesus prayed for himself. Jesus' example is our model for praying for ourselves. Jesus' request was for himself, but it wasn't a selfish request. Jesus prayed for himself, but his motive wasn't selfish. That's our model. We can pray for ourselves, but the requests shouldn't be selfish. "Lord, please heal my back, so I can be comfortable watching TV." No! "Lord, please heal my back, so I can more fully serve you." Yes! "Father, please give me the right words to say, so I can change my spouse into what I want." No!
"Father, please give me the right words to say, so that I can effectively share the gospel" Yes! "God, please improve my financial condition, so I can have the things others have." No! "God, please improve my financial condition, so I can meet my family's needs and have something extra to bless someone else." Yes! Jesus asked for something, but ultimately it was for God's glory. Verse 1 says, "Father, glorify your son, that your son may glorify you." Jesus prayed for himself. He prayed that God would glorify him through the agony of the cross, so that God would be glorified. It's OK for us to pray for ourselves, when the underlying motive is to glorify God. What does it mean, "that your son may glorify you"? The great Bible Scholar Albert Barnes, said, "Jesus prayed that God would so honor him in his death that striking proof might be furnished that he was the Messiah, and men thus be brought to honor God. By his death the law, the truth, and the mercy of God were honored. By the spread of his gospel and the conversion of sinners, God will be honored. The conversion of a single sinner honors God; and the spread of the gospel among all nations shall do more than all other things to promote the honor of God among men. Whatever honors the Savior honors God." The miracles of the cross and the resurrection glorified Jesus, which glorified God. When the Son paid for sins, God received glory. When the Son rose from the dead, God received glory. We should ask God to glorify us by using us successfully in his kingdom. When the world sees our glorious service to God, God receives glory. When a greeter shows the love of God, he or she is glorified, and God receives glory. When God honors a choir's commitment, the choir is glorified, and God receives glory. When you warmly welcome a visitor, you are glorified, and God receives glory. It's OK to pray for yourself, when your motive is for God to receive glory. (Slide 7) (2) For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.
Jesus continued to pray. Because Jesus glorified God through the cross, God granted him authority over all people. The three-letter word "all" is a big word. Jesus has authority over all Jews, Gentiles, males, females, nations, races, social classes, levels of education, and all other classes of people. Jesus' authority is not just over your body, your person, your flesh. Jesus has authority over your spirit, meaning that he can give eternal life to you. When you accept Jesus' as Lord, God gives you to Jesus, and Jesus gives eternal life to you. Jesus, the one who has the authority to give eternal life, prayed for himself. It's OK for us to pray for ourselves. (Slide 8) (3) Now, this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. What do you have to do to receive eternal life? You must know the only true God and Jesus Christ. It isn't enough to know about them. You must know them. I know about our president and vice president, but I don't know them. A relationship does not exist by merely knowing about someone. Additionally, it isn't enough to know God. You must also know Jesus. It's a dual proposition. It's a package deal. First, you can come to know about God and Jesus. Then, you can come to know God and Jesus. That's when you receive eternal life. Do you know God and Jesus? Verse 3 is a conversation between God the Son and God the Father. We can talk to God like that. God wants us to talk with him like that. This is how we can talk to God. Listen for the similarity to verse 3. "Father, someone here may not know you. This is eternal life that they may come to know you and Jesus." "God, this is Sunday, and we're here to worship you." "Lord, life is tough, but you are my strength and protection." "Daddy God, I'm hurting, and I desperately need you." "Father, my desire is for my life to be a house of prayer."
Jesus talked to God in prayer. His talk is our example. God wants us to talk to him. Simple conversation. Straight up and honest. Completely open. Do you take time to talk to God? Is your conversation real? (Slide 9) (4) I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. This verse is a record of more prayer conversation. Jesus notes his accomplishments, but his statement is not prideful. We can talk to God like that. This is how we can talk to God. Listen for the similarity to verse 4. "Lord, thank you for helping me to complete the work you gave me to do here at Lockmar Baptist Church." "God, I shared the gospel with Mike as you asked me to do." "Father, today I used your Word to resist the temptation that you asked me to conquer." This kind of conversation is not boastful. It's not prideful. It's just a chat with the God of the universe, who is also the Lord of our lives. It's just discussing life with the giver of life. Do you discuss your life with the giver of life? You can. God wants you to. Jesus noted that he brought glory to God on earth by doing what God wanted him to do. Soon, Jesus would die to complete his assignment. You can bring glory to God on earth by doing what he asks you to do. Are you listening to God for assignments? Will you start and complete what God asks you to do? (Slide 10) (5) And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. Jesus prays for himself again. Before coming to earth, Jesus had unimaginable glory in heaven. Soon, it would be time for him to return to God's presence in heaven and regain the glory he had before the world began. Albert Barnes said, "Jesus laid aside for a time the external aspect of honor, and consented to become despised, and to assume the form of a servant. He now prays that
God would raise him up to the dignity and honor which he had before his incarnation. This is the state to which he is now exalted." Jesus asked his Father to give glory to him. We can pray similarly. "God, please cause me to find favor with my supervisor." "Father, please make our church attractive to people who drive by." "Lord, please make me bold enough to share the gospel" "God please promote me to even larger work in your kingdom." It's OK to pray that way, if we have the proper motive. Conclusion: A few hours before Jesus went to the cross, he huddled with his disciples to pray. In that quiet, intimate setting, Jesus prayed the real Lord's Prayer. First, he prayed for himself. In doing so, he provided a prayer example to us. It's OK for us to pray for ourselves. I invite you to copy Jesus, and pray for yourselves. Pray big with the intent that, through you, God will receive glory. Request important things. When God grants your requests, it may honor you, but your ultimate motive should be to glorify God. That's what Jesus did. He asked for success, so that God would receive glory. That's Jesus' example to us. That's Jesus' model for us. That's what God wants us to do. Pray for success that will glorify God. Jesus prayed for himself, so that God would receive glory through his life. You can pray for yourself, so that God will receive glory through your life. Will you? Let's Pray.