Glorification, Prayer, and Eternal Life in Christ

In John 17, Jesus prays for His glorification, which is deeply intertwined with the glorification of the Father. This prayer reveals the profound relationship between the Father and the Son, and how their mutual glorification involves bringing believers into eternal life. Jesus asks the Father to glorify Him so that He may, in turn, glorify the Father. This glorification is not just about honor but is tied to the completion of Jesus' mission on earth—granting eternal life to those given to Him by the Father. Eternal life, as defined by Jesus, is knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but relational, drawing believers into the love and glory shared within the Trinity.

Jesus' prayer also teaches us about the nature of prayer itself. Even when outcomes are assured by divine promise, prayer remains essential. Jesus models this by praying for what is already promised, demonstrating that prayer is a means of aligning our desires with God's will and purposes. Furthermore, Jesus' requests are guided by two principles: the glorification of God and the blessing of others. These principles should guide our prayers as well, ensuring that our requests are not self-centered but aimed at glorifying God and benefiting others.

The interaction between the Father and the Son in this passage is not isolated from believers. Instead, it includes them in the divine plan. The glorification of Jesus and the Father involves believers being drawn into eternal life, experiencing the love and glory of the Trinity. This is a profound mystery and a glorious destiny for believers, as they are invited into the divine love and glorification that exists between the Father and the Son.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Nature of Glorification: Jesus' request for glorification is deeply connected to His mission of granting eternal life. This glorification is not just about honor but involves the completion of His work on earth, which is to make the Father known and to bring believers into eternal life. This teaches us that true glorification is tied to fulfilling God's purposes. [06:02]
• 2. Prayer and Divine Promises: Jesus prays for what is assured by divine promise, showing that prayer is not redundant even when outcomes are certain. Prayer is a means of aligning our hearts with God's will and expressing our dependence on Him. It is appropriate to pray for things promised in Scripture, as it deepens our relationship with God and reinforces our trust in His promises. [06:41]
• 3. Guidelines for Prayer: Jesus' prayer is guided by two principles: the glorification of God and the blessing of others. When we pray, we should ask ourselves if our requests are aimed at glorifying God and benefiting others. This ensures that our prayers are not self-centered but aligned with God's purposes. [08:40]
• 4. Eternal Life as Knowing God: Eternal life is defined by Jesus as knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ. This knowledge is relational and transformative, drawing believers into the love and glory of the Trinity. It is not merely about intellectual understanding but involves a deep, personal relationship with God. [12:50]
• 5. Believers' Participation in Divine Glory: The glorification of the Father and the Son involves believers being drawn into eternal life. This is a profound mystery, as believers are invited into the divine love and glorification that exists within the Trinity. It is a glorious destiny that transforms our understanding of salvation and our relationship with God. [19:04]
  ** [19:04]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:17] - The Glorification of the Son and the Father
• [01:09] - Introduction to John 17
• [02:00] - Jesus' Prayer Before His Suffering
• [03:17] - Understanding "The Hour"
• [05:09] - Jesus' Requests for Glorification
• [06:02] - The Importance of Prayer for Promised Outcomes
• [07:27] - Purpose of Jesus' Glorification
• [08:25] - Guidelines for Our Prayers
• [10:12] - The Connection Between Authority and Glorification
• [12:31] - Defining Eternal Life
• [14:13] - Jesus' Accomplished Work on Earth
• [16:02] - Jesus' Faithfulness and Exaltation
• [18:15] - The Structure of Glorification
• [19:04] - Believers' Participation in Divine Glory
• [22:28] - Conclusion and Invitation to Eternal Life

1. What does Jesus request from the Father in John 17:1, and how does this request relate to His mission on earth? [02:15]
2. In John 17:2, what authority has the Father given to Jesus, and what is its purpose? [10:31]
3. How does Jesus define eternal life in John 17:3, and what does this reveal about the nature of eternal life? [12:31]
4. According to John 17:4, what work has Jesus accomplished, and how does this relate to His glorification? [13:21]

1. Why does Jesus pray for His glorification even though it is assured by divine promise? How does this model the importance of prayer in our lives? [06:41]
2. How does the mutual glorification of the Father and the Son involve believers, and what does this suggest about the believer's role in God's plan? [19:04]
3. What does it mean for believers to be drawn into the love and glory of the Trinity, and how does this impact their understanding of salvation? [19:55]
4. How do the principles of glorifying God and blessing others guide Jesus' prayer, and how should these principles influence our own prayers? [09:54]

1. Reflect on a recent prayer you made. Did it align with the principles of glorifying God and blessing others? How might you adjust your prayers to better reflect these principles? [09:54]
2. Jesus defines eternal life as knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ. How can you deepen your relational knowledge of God this week? What specific steps will you take? [12:50]
3. Consider a promise from Scripture that you have been hesitant to pray for. How can you incorporate this promise into your prayer life, trusting in God's faithfulness? [06:41]
4. In what ways can you participate in the glorification of God through your daily actions and decisions? Identify one area of your life where you can focus on this more intentionally. [08:40]
5. How does understanding your participation in the divine glory and love of the Trinity change your perspective on your identity as a believer? What practical changes might this inspire in your life? [19:04]
6. Jesus' prayer emphasizes the importance of aligning our desires with God's will. What is one area of your life where you struggle to align your desires with God's will, and how can you work on this alignment? [06:41]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt drawn into the love and glory of the Trinity. How did this experience impact your faith, and how can you seek similar experiences in the future? [19:04]