March 28
JOHN 17
When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. – John 17:1-5
JOHN 17 CHRIST’S OBEDIENCE GLORIFIED GOD
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When Jesus’ time was nearing, he prayed to his Father
He wanted to make sure that he is giving him all the glory
He revealed to his disciples the reason for his coming
It was to give eternal life to all whom God has chosen
The disciples were to know only the One true God
They were also to glorify him, since he is the Only Son.
In this account, we hear Jesus explaining the purpose of his coming on earth, that is to glorify his Father. Now that his hour is coming, he tells them that as he finishes his work for the Father, he is glorifying him and the Father will glorify him back. The work that Jesus did was to die on the cross and when he did, it will be his way back to go to sit besides his Father on his right hand. Barclay’s study bible asks How did the Cross glorify God? It’s response is “The only way to glorify God is to obey him. A child brings honour to his parents when he brings them obedience. A citizen brings honour to his country when he obeys it. A scholar brings honour to his teacher when he obeys his master’s teaching. Jesus brought glory and honour to God by his perfect obedience to him. The gospel story makes it quite clear that Jesus could have escaped the Cross. Humanly speaking, he could have turned back and need never have gone to Jerusalem. As we look at Jesus in the last days, we are bound to say: “See how he loved God! See to what lengths his obedience would go!” He glorified God on the Cross by rendering the perfect obedience of perfect love.”
REFLECTION
• Why do you think obedience is the best expression of worship?
