A study of John 17:1-5 reveals Jesus asking the father to glorify him so he can glorify the father, eternal life is knowing the true God and Jesus Christ who he sent, and Jesus shared divine glory with the father before the world existed.
A study of John 17:1-5 reveals Jesus asking the father to glorify him so he can glorify the father.
When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. (ESV, John 17:1-2)
Jesus concluded the last Passover meal in the Upper Room with his disciples and gave them final instructions in chapter 16. And now he begins a public prayer on their behalf. They are possibly still in the Upper Room or perhaps left and are walking toward the Kidron Valley. And Jesus starts by acknowledging his hour has come. By this he means all the events leading to his suffering, crucifixion, death, resurrection, and exaltation are about to start. They were not simply his future misfortune or human injustice. But divinely appointed to fulfill what John said in 1:29 and 10:17-18. Jesus Christ was the Lamb of God who would die for the sins of of the world. He willingly and knowlingly sacrificed his life to redeem humanity from sin.
How does God glorify the Son?
Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You.
You’d think the impending horror of a torturous death would be at the top of Jesus’ mind, but it isn’t. Instead, he asks the father to glorify him so he can glorify the father. The Greek verb for “glorify” is doxason and comes from “glory.” Although glory is often associated with physical radiance, God’s divine glory is more than that. It represents his divine excellence and perfect character. And includes his holiness, righteousness, power, grace, truth, and majesty.
In this statement Jesus affirms that father and son share the same divine glory. How? The father glorifies the son through his death, resurrection, and ascension to sit at the father’s right hand. And the son glorifies the father by revealing the father’s character on earth, perfectly obeying his will, and completing the work the father sent him to accomplish.
What is Jesus’ authority over all flesh?
Since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.
The Father has given the Son authority “over all flesh.” The Greek word for “flesh” is sarkos and literally means the meat of an animal, but here refers to humanity. And authority speaks of Christ’s divine sovereignty. So as the Son of God, he has dominion over all creation which includes humanity. Despite his absolute authority over us, Jesus did not exercise a hungry power grab. Instead, his ministry demonstrated humility and focused on a broken humanity rather than himself.
Rather than using his power and authority for personal gain, he obeyed the father and died for our sins to give us eternal life. Here’s how the Apostle Paul describes it.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross. (ESV, Philippians 2:5-8)
A study of John 17:1-5 reveals eternal life is knowing the true God and Jesus Christ who he sent.
And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (ESV, John 17:3)
This verse defines eternal life. And it’s more than simply hanging out forever in heaven. Even though that will be spectacular. Nor does it involve doing more good works than bad. It’s knowing God. The Greek word ginōskōsin means personal, relational knowledge, not just cognitive awareness. And it makes Christianity radically different than all other religions. God desires and invites us into a personal relationship. To meaningfully know him and not simply about him.
Through the death and resurrection of Christ we are redeemed from sin. And through Christ’s forgiveness of our sins, we are granted eternal life. But it accomplishes something else too. It eliminates the barrier that separates us from God’s loving relationship. And in heaven we will enjoy an eternal life of reconciliation, fellowship, and communion with the living God through Jesus Christ.
Who is the only true God?
Jesus calls him “the only true God.” And by “true” he means in contrast to every false god, idol, and forms of religion. Jesus prays as the incarnate son and mediator. He distinguishes his person from the Father without denying his own full deity. The point is that eternal life is found in personally knowing the Father who is the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one he sent.
Jesus is not one way to God among others but the only way. And the only mediator between God and humanity. The gospel calls us to confess our sins to Jesus, seek his forgiveness, commit our lives fully to him, and follow him as disciples.
A study of John 17:1-5 reveals that Jesus shared divine glory with the father before the world existed.
I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. (ESV, John 17:4-5)
Jesus identifies specifically how he will glorify God. By accomplishing the work God gave him to do. The Greek word for “accomplished” is teleiōsas and means bringing something to its intended goal or completion. And it reinforces the point that Christ’s crucifixion was no accident or random circumstances. But a planned event, orchestrated by God, to atone for sin and redeem humanity.
In V.5, Jesus further testifies to his full deity and divine glory by saying he shared it with the father before the world existed. It is a unique claim made by no other religious leader. The phrase “in your own presence” indicates personal distinction. As the son, he existed eternally with the Father and possessed the same glory as confirmed in John 1:1. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Who is the incarnate Son of God?
The incarnate son did not cease to be God. He willingly came to earth in human form, but was still fully God. After accomplishing redemption, he was publicly exalted as the incarnate, crucified, risen, and reigning God-man. The eternal son with both a fully divine and fully human nature. How do we know? Because a created being cannot possess God’s eternal glory. This is confirmed by the prophet Isaiah.
I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. (ESV, Isaiah 42:8)
God does not yield his glory to a creature. So Jesus’ claim of sharing pre-creation glory with the father means he is not created. But the eternal Son in one divine essence with the Father. His accomplished mission of salvation is by grace through faith in him. Although good works matter, they are the fruit of salvation and don’t earn it. Christ alone reconciles sinners to God.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is a Christian author and blogger who publishes Christian non-fiction and fiction books, humorous drama, and scripturally centered, thought-provoking blog posts from a Christian worldview. To learn more visit: www.chiptudor.com.
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