Learning From The High Priestly Prayer Part 1

As I have moved into June, I have moved into John 17 at the campground I get to minister at.  Chapter 17 of John is all about Christ’s high priestly prayer.  Here is what I learned the first week of learning from this particular prayer.

1.  What Is The Result Of Glorifying The Son

As Jesus begins praying, He tells the Father that the hour has come.  He is talking about the hour of His crucifixion is near.  He asks the Father to glorify Him.  There are two results of the Son being glorified.

• The Father is glorified
• Eternal life is given

Do you want the Father to be glorified?  Glorify the Son.  Do you want people to have eternal life?  Glorify the Son.  Those are two results of glorifying the Son.

2.  What Is Eternal Life?

I think that if we asked people what eternal life is that we would get numerous answers.  It might be to be saved.  It might be to go to heaven.  Jesus breaks it down rather simply in this prayer for us:

• Know the Father
• Know the Son

Jesus doesn’t mention twelve hoops that you have to jump through.  He doesn’t mention living a perfect life.  He mentions relationships.  Know His Father.  Know Him.

3.  How Do You Glorify The Father?

Jesus closes out this paragraph with how He managed to glorify the Father.  He accomplished the work He was given.  Jesus lived the life He was supposed to live and the hour was coming when that would be finished on the cross.  In that, He set the example for us.

Once we have the eternal life mentioned above, our work is to glorify the Father in the work He gives us.  That may be preaching, teaching, blogging or any myriad of jobs He gives us.  Maybe your work is to support missions.  Whatever it is, do it with all you have to glorify the Father.

How do you go about glorifying the Father and the Son?

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