Flies on the WallJohn 17:1-5

The Real Lord’s Prayer

Jesus’ First Petition

The Real Lord’s Prayer Jesus’ prayer for Himself – vv 1-5 Jesus’ prayer for His disciples – vv 6-19 Jesus’ prayer for all who will follow in the

faith in the coming centuries – vv 20-26 There are five main petitions, one for

Himself and four for us. There are also six distinctive marks of the

church – joy, holiness, truth, mission, unity, and love.

Flies on the WallJohn 17:1-5

Jesus’ First Petition (for Himself) Jesus asks that the Father would glorify Him

as Jesus in turn glorifies the Father. Four statements about Jesus’ glory

1. Jesus had a certain glory with God before the Incarnation.

2. This glory was God’s glory.3. Jesus did not possess this glory during the years

of His Incarnation.4. There is a sense in which He did possess this

glory while on earth by doing God’s work.

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Jesus’ First Petition What does the term “Glory of God” mean? In order to answer this question, we must

know the origin and evolution of the word in both the Greek and the Hebrew literature.

The Greek word is doxa, which is based on the ancient verb dokeo, meaning “to seem,” “to appear,” or “to have an opinion.”

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Jesus’ First Petition This is where we get the expression “it

seems good to me” – Galatians 2:2-9.

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Galatians 2:2-9 (NASB)2 It was because of a revelation that I went up;

and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.

3 But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.

4 But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage.

5 But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.

6 But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me.

7 But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised

8 (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles),

9 and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.

Jesus’ First Petition This is where we get the expression “it

seems good to me” – Galatians 2:2-9. The noun came to mean an “opinion” or

“what one thinks.” orthodox – a straight or right opinion heterodox – a different opinion paradox – a contrary or conflicting opinion

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Jesus’ First Petition The noun went from “an opinion” to

mean “a good opinion” to eventually mean “that which merits a good opinion.”

This now had the word correctly being translated at times “praise,” “honor,” “good standing,” “reputation,” or “renown” – Psalm 24:8-10.

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Psalm 24:8-10 (NASB)8 Who is the King of glory?

The LORD strong and mighty,The LORD mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads, O gates,And lift them up, O ancient doors,That the King of glory may come in!

10 Who is this King of glory?The LORD of hosts,He is the King of glory. Selah.

Jesus’ First Petition The noun went from “an opinion” to mean

“a good opinion” to eventually mean “that which merits a good opinion.”

This now had the word correctly being translated at times “praise,” “honor,” “good standing,” “reputation,” or “renown” – Psalm 24:8-10.

In Psalm 24 we now see this term being applied to God – linked to His attributes.

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Jesus’ First Petition This explains the use of glory in verse 4,

saying that Jesus had revealed the essential characteristics of the Father in the work He had done on earth.

When the disciples beheld His glory in John 2:11, they were actually seeing Jesus’ character, which was the character of God.

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Jesus’ First Petition There is another idea of glory found in

Hebrew thought that came about from the Septuagint.

In Jewish thought, any outward manifestation of God’s presence was believed to involve a display of light, radiance, or glory so brilliant that no man could approach it – “the light of His face” as summed up in Psalm 104:1-2.

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Psalm 104:1-2 (NASB)1 Bless the LORD, O my soul!

O LORD my God, You are very great;You are clothed with splendor and majesty,

2 Covering Yourself with light as with a cloak,Stretching out heaven like a tent curtain.

Jesus’ First Petition This idea of outward glory is associated

with light and seen in these examples. As with Moses – Ex. 34:29-35; 2 Cor. 3:13-15 The cloud of glory associated with the

Tabernacle and Temple – 1 Kings 8:10-11

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1 Kings 8:10-11 (NASB)10 It happened that when the priests came

from the holy place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD,

11 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.

Jesus’ First Petition This idea of outward glory is associated

with light and seen in these examples. As with Moses – Ex. 34:29-35; 2 Cor. 3:13-15 The cloud of glory associated with the

Tabernacle and Temple – 1 Kings 8:10-11 In post Old Testament Jewish writings, such

as the Targums, a new word came about, Shekinah.

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Jesus’ First Petition Summary of Jesus’ first petition

Before Jesus’ Incarnation, He possessed the glory of God in both senses, the fullness of God’s attributes and character inwardly and the fullness of God’s outward, visible glory.

In the Incarnation, Jesus laid aside the visible outward glory so we could approach Him.

Now Jesus returns to His Father to receive back that outward glory.

We share in this glory a little now, but we will someday experience it in full.

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Jesus’ First Petition Reasons behind Jesus’ request

1. His hour had come for His great work! This says that Jesus had been fulling the will of the Father.

2. Jesus’ glorification would result in the Father’s glorification.

3. God the Father had already given Jesus authority to grant eternal life to all who the Father had given Him.

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Jesus’ First Petition Reasons behind Jesus’ request

4. By Jesus’ death, He becomes the only way to life so His glorification becomes our salvation.

5. Jesus’ finished work is the divine pattern of self-denial, obedience, and suffering, after which the glory follows.

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1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NASB)19 Or do you not know that your body is a

temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

ApplicationQuestion: What is the chief end of man?Answer: To glorify God and enjoy Him

forever

Question: What is the chief end of God?Answer: To glorify His Son and enjoy Him

forever

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Application

Are you glorifying God in your body as Christ has glorified the Father in His body?

How does that look? In self-denial? In obedience? In suffering? In being conformed to the image of Christ?

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