Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer

Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer: He Prays for Himself
John 17: 1-5

Jesus has shared the final Passover with his disciples’ and has washed their feet. He reveals his going away to them. He has shared the glory of mansions he is going to prepare; he has shared that he will be coming again to take them to be with him. He has explained their relationship with him in chapter 15 in verse 5 “I am the Vine, ye are the branches, he that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit, for without Me, ye can do nothing.” Jesus now begins His High Priestly prayer to God on behalf of himself, his disciples,and for those who come after. Jesus begins:

I. His Righteous Hour (John 17:1)
a. A Messianic reference (first occurred in John 2:4 in Cana)
b. A Messianic sacrifice (John 7:30 time not right)
c. A Messianic redemption ( John 12:27)

The term “my hour” is used by Jesus throughout John’s Gospel in reference to his impending work of redemption on Calvary’s cross. His completed work on the cross is the only sufficient means by which wretched man can be redeemed. From out of the slave market of sin, Jesus’ blood has bought us out and into his family, so that we are heirs and joint heirs with Christ.

II. His Reciprocal Glory (John 17:1)
a. Father glorifies Son
b. Son glorifies the Father

When Jesus came as a human baby, he emptied himself of His glory, His prerogatives and His privileges in what is known as the kenosis, or emptying. He did not lose His deity, as He is fully God and fully man. The Reciprocal Glory here is Jesus being lifted up on the cross so that the Father would be glorified.

III. His Regal Authority (John 17:2)
a. The Scope
b. The Subject

Jesus has three offices that he occupies Prophet, Priest, and King. The first two he completed the work of during his 33 ½ years on earth during his public ministry and his death, burial and resurrection. The last he will fully assume when returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He has regal authority over all flesh to grant eternal life.