The Other Lord’s Prayer, Part 1

Jesus will end his time with his disciples in a most appropriate way. He will pray with them and for them. And he includes in that prayer all who will believe going forward. That includes you and me. And, he includes himself. That’s where we’ll start.

In the first five verses Jesus will use the word glory or glorify five times. It’s kind of a big deal. The disciples are listening in on what seems a very private and even audacious request of Jesus to the Father. Let’s see if you agree: After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” John 17:1-5

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If you or I were to pray that out loud for ourselves in front of a group of friends, we’d get the proverbial stink-eye, and rightly so. We’ve none of us the right to be asking glory for ourselves. We might reflect his glory. We might bring him glory. But to ask what Jesus asked for himself would be cheeky. We’re a micro-blip in respect to our world or even our neighborhood (!) – let alone eternity. He inhabits eternity.

So, is Jesus betraying humility by asking for such a thing? Not at all. If we really examine what it is he’s praying he is saying that he is glorified by increasing the size of his family. He wants you and me to share eternity with him. It is humbling to think that our presence somehow adds to the perfection and beauty of heaven, but that is the substance of our Savior’s heart. He longs for you and he longs for me. I hope that puts a smile on your face.