Let’s continue to examine Christ’s intercessory and priestly prayer, in John chapter 17, looking for the areas of mission that Christ completed. Note the phrase, “I have.”
1. Christ glorified the father and finished the work given by the Father. John 17:1-4
2. Christ manifested (declared) the name of the Father unto His disciples. John 17:6,26
3. Christ gave the disciples the words and the word of the Father. John 17:8,14
4. Christ kept the disciples (gathered, taught and protected them). John 17:12
5. Christ sent His disciples into the world. John 17:18
6. Christ gave the disciples glory (i.e. a unifying purpose and power which comes from the Father and glorifies the Father). John17:1,5,22
7. Christ knew the Father (i.e. was intimate with the Father and confessed Him to others). John 17:25-26
We now focus on the sixth point, Christ gave the disciples glory (i.e. a unifying purpose and power which
comes from the Father and glorifies the Father). John 17:1,5,22. Notice that Christ received glory from the Father and gave glory to the Father. Even so, we need His glory first in order to give Him glory (John 14:10-12; 3:27; I Corinthians 4:7; I Peter 4:10). Christ’s life revealed the “grace and truth” of the Father (John 1:4,14). His miracles revealed the power of the Father (John 2:11; 11:4,23,40). Jesus spoke for the glory of the Father (John 7:16-18). In glorifying the Father, Jesus himself is also glorified. The Father shares His glory with His Son (John 11:4; 17:1 cp. Isaiah 42:8; 40:5; John 1:1-3,14). In touching the lives of men, Jesus causes us to glorify the Father also (John 15:1-5,8; 12:35-36 cp. Matthew 5:14-16). How is it that Christ actually gave His disciples glory? (John 17:22)
It is glory to know the Lord (John 17:1-3 cp. Jeremiah 9:23-24; I Corinthians 1:26-31; I Peter 1:8; Colossians 3:9-10).
It is God’s overall plan to give us glory (Romans 8:28-32).
It is glory to learn of Him in Scripture (John 17:17; II Corinthians 3:18 sanctifying/transforming power).
It is glory to serve the Lord and suffer for His sake (I Peter 4:10-16; II Corinthians 4:15-18; 12:7-10).
Christ secured future glory for us. This brings hope, joy and peace into our lives (Romans 8:15-18; Colossians 1:26-27). This hope motivates us to be pure and faithful (Colossians 3:1-5; I John 3:2-3. Consider the promise of future glory in Matthew 16:24-27; 19:23-30; Colossians 3:4; Titus 2:11-14.
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The glory shared between the Father and the Son caused unity and oneness between them. Even so, the glory that Christ has given us, not only unites us with the Father and the Son, but also unites us with each other. (John 17:20-23; 14:23; 13:34-35; Romans 15:5-7) Peter describes a glorious experience when Christ was transfigured before them and the Father spoke of His pleasure and joy with His Son (II Peter 1:16-18 cp. Matthew 17:1-8). This glory, that Jesus received, implied intimacy and unity with His Father. Christ has also given us glory by identifying with us and becoming intimate with us (Hebrews 2:10-11; John 15:9-15). We will discuss intimacy more in the seventh point. |
