“And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”– John 17:5
John 17:5 Meaning
In this verse, Jesus is speaking directly to God the Father. He refers to a time before the creation of the world when He shared a unique glory with the Father. This is a powerful statement about the divine nature of Christ, affirming His pre-existence and unity with God. He is asking God to glorify Him once again in the same way as before the world came to be. This reflects the deep relationship and fellowship between Jesus and the Father, showcasing the essence of the Holy Trinity.
When we think about this verse, we recognize the significance of glory. The glory that Jesus seeks is not just a physical manifestation but represents His authority, power, and divinity. It encourages us to understand that Jesus was not created; instead, He has always existed with God. It reminds us of His divine purpose and the plan of redemption.
John 17:5 Commentary and Explanation
As we look deeper into John 17:5, we can see that Jesus is nearing the climax of His earthly ministry. In this prayer, He is speaking to the Father about the completion of His mission on Earth. Jesus knows the time of His crucifixion is upon Him, and He is preparing to return to His place of honor beside the Father. By asking God to glorify Him, Jesus is also anticipating the glorification that will come through His resurrection and ascension.
This verse reminds us of a profound truth: the glory of God is central to understanding Jesus’s identity. From the very beginning, the Scripture teaches us that God created the world through His Word. In John 1:1-3, it states that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This verse emphasizes the eternality of Christ’s being, the Word made flesh who dwelt among us.
Thus, when Jesus asks for the glory He had before the world existed, it signifies His status as the Son of God. This honor is not merely for His own sake; it is for the glory of God and to fulfill God’s great plan for humanity. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, all glory and honor will become evident to everyone. Let’s also reflect on this: in our lives, we should also seek to glorify God in all that we do, just as Jesus did. It’s a call to reflect on how our actions can point others to Him.
James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” Just like Jesus, we too can seek God’s glory and honor through humility and obedience to His will. We must remember that our lives, our victories, and everything we do should ultimately lead others to glorifying God, just as Jesus’s life led to His glorification.
Context of John 17:5
To truly grasp the meaning of John 17:5, we need to consider the context. This verse is part of what is often referred to as the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus, in which He intercedes for His disciples and all believers. In this prayer, Jesus reveals His heart, His desires, and His relationship with the Father. The setting of this prayer is critical; it occurs just before Jesus’s betrayal, crucifixion, and the layered trials He would face. He understands the immense sacrifice He is about to make and the implications it holds for humankind.
Jesus’s entire purpose on Earth was aligned with God’s plan of salvation. Earlier in this chapter, He speaks about the eternal life that comes through knowing God and knowing Him, whom God has sent (John 17:3). Here, Jesus underscores not only His past glory but also the ultimate fulfillment of it through His imminent resurrection and ascension. This high moment in the narrative signifies that everything Jesus has done, said, and lived for was leading up to this crucial point in redemptive history.
Furthermore, the context extends beyond His immediate disciples. This prayer and the request for glory resonate with all who would come to believe in Him (John 17:20). By understanding the connection between Jesus and the Father, we grow closer to realizing our place in God’s grand story. Through faith in Jesus, we are invited into this relationship, becoming partakers of the divine glory and grace.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of John 17:5
The phrase “Now, O Father” indicates intimacy and communication, representing a profound relationship between Jesus and God as He speaks directly to Him. This shows us that prayer is not just a ritual but a personal engagement with our Creator.
Next, the term “glorify” is central to this verse. To glorify means to honor, to elevate to a place of high status, and to reveal one’s true nature. By asking God to glorify Him, Jesus illustrates that His purpose was to bring attention to God’s glory through His life and eventual sacrifice. This is not just for Himself but as part of God’s divine plan for all of creation.
The phrase “with thine own self” signifies that Jesus desires to return to the fullness of Divine nature. It points to the unity in the Trinity; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not separate entities but one in purpose and essence. Finally, the mention of pre-existence “before the world was” indicates His eternal existence independent of time and creation, a concept that sets Jesus apart in understanding His identity as God incarnate.
Lessons From John 17:5
From this verse, we can extract several important lessons for our own lives. One significant takeaway is the importance of understanding our identity in Christ. By acknowledging our relationship with Him and who He is, we can better navigate our daily lives. Knowing that Jesus existed before everything reassures us that we are not alone. He is sovereign over all, including our personal challenges and victories.
This verse also challenges us to consider how we seek glory in our own lives. Are we focused on uplifting ourselves, or do we prioritize glorifying God? Much like Jesus, our lives can reflect the glory of God, leading others to see His greatness through our actions and words. Ephesians 3:20 assures us that God can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. When we pursue His glory, we should anticipate that He will use us in ways that honor Him and bless others.
We are reminded of the power of prayer. Jesus models how to approach God with our requests, revealing our desires while remaining aligned with His will. This encourages us to seek a deeper prayer life where we bring our needs and the needs of others before God. Through prayer, we can connect with Him and draw strength from His presence.
Lastly, John 17:5 calls us to a greater understanding of humility. Just as Jesus sought glory not for His sake but for the glory of God, we should approach life with a servant’s heart. Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” This means that growth in our lives is found in serving others. When we seek to glorify God in all that we do, we also lift others up and reflect His love and grace truly.
Final Thoughts
John 17:5 invites readers into a deeper understanding of Jesus Christ and His relationship with God the Father. It highlights the importance of glory, intimacy with God, and purpose. As we reflect on this verse, let’s remember our call to bring glory to God in our day-to-day lives. By understanding who Jesus is and what His life represents, we can find direction and peace in our own journeys.
In our pursuit to live faithfully, let’s also seek to explore other remarkable teachings, like John 17:4, where Jesus speaks about completing His work on earth. It excites the heart to discover scriptures that speak to our spirit and guide us! If we want to be encouraged further, let’s check out Bible verses about God never failing or even John 16:33 for enduring hope.