Our Lord’s last Prayer
We have now reached the “Holy of Holies.”
It is impossible to fathom the depths or scale the height of this great prayer.
The disciples heard Him pray this prayer. Verse 1b.
“Father, the hour is come” (used 5 more times in the prayer)
This hour had been fixed by the Trione God before the foundation of the world.
1 Peter 1:20 “Who was foreordained before the foundation of the world.”
Prophet—Seer and Psalmist had spoken of and looked forward to this day.
“Glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify Thee.” Verse 1c.
These words can only be explained in anticipation of what would take place in “the hour” before Him and what would follow that hour.
His sacrificial death—His burial—His resurrection—His exaltation to the right hand of God.
The Work of God the Son in His suffering, and the glory which followed, glorifies the Father. Philippians 2.
Verse 2 Declares the fact that God the Father has given God the Son power to give eternal life to as many as God has given Him. John 1:11-13.
Consider for a moment the “Sovereignty of God” and the “Whosoever of the Gospel.” Romans 8.
Verse 3 Gives us a definition of “eternal life.”
It is a knowledge of the true God, and the Son of God Jesus Christ.
Eternal life begins at conversion—God gives to us of His own nature which is immortal, eternal.
This life is manifested in a “life of righteousness” and a walk in “fellowship with the Father and the Son.”
Verse 4 Refers to His finished work on earth. (His Life and Death)
Verse 5 This verse would be understood better by using the following interpretation.
And now, Father, glorify thou me in thy own presence with the glory which I had with thee before the world was made.
Christ’s desire was, that after he had finished his earthly work, that his Father would give him back His pre-incarnate glory—the Glory of the Godhead.
After speaking to the Father about Himself, the work He finished and requesting His pre-incarnate glory He speaks of those who belong to Him.
Verse 6 I have manifested thy name.
In what way did the Lord manifest God’s name?
The Jews knew Him as Jehovah for centuries.
The Lord revealed Him as “Father.”
No inspired writer of the O.T. ever address God as Father.
We call Him Abba-Father. Romans 8:14-17. Galatians 4:6-7.
Verse 9 From the reading of this chapter one gets the impression that the real intercessory part begins here.
He makes requests for those given Him by the Father.
He prays for their sanctification—union—preservation and their glorification.
Verse 9b-10 Note the absolute oneness that exists between Father—Son and His people. See Verse 11, 20-23.
We are God’s, Verse 9. All that Christ has is God’s, and all that is God’s is Christ’s.
Note our “security” and His “Deity.”
Verse 12 The son of perdition.