Jesus spoke these words as He, “LIFTED UP HIS EYES TO HEAVEN, and said: “FATHER, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You…I have FINISHED THE WORK which You have given Me to do.” (John 17:1-4)
What can we learn from this prayer from GOD THE SON to GOD THE FATHER?
- JESUS ADDRESSED THIS PRAYER TO HIS FATHER: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are SONS OF GOD. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “ABBA (daddy), FATHER.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are CHILDREN OF GOD, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and JOINT HEIRS WITH CHRIST…” (Rom. 8:14-17) Then this wonderful promise, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has BEGOTTEN US AGAIN TO A LIVING HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and THAT DOES NOT FADE AWAY, reserved in heaven for you, WHO ARE KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Pet. 1:3-5)
- JESUS FINISHED THE WORK: What work is He talking about? Jesus asked His disciples, “…who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for FLESH AND BLOOD HAS NOT revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matt. 16:15-19) Jesus said, “you are Peter and I am Jesus” and on this “common or mutual understanding” I will build my Church! “Then Jesus went up on the mountain and CALLED TO HIM THOSE HE HIMSELF WANTED. And they came to Him. Then He APPOINTED (poieo: to put one forth) TWELVE, that they might be with Him and that He might SEND THEM OUT to preach, and to HAVE POWER to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons…” (Mark 3:13-15) After Jesus appointed the 12, “He came down WITH THEM (His Church) and with A CROWD OF HIS DISCIPLES and A GREAT MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE…” (Luke 6:17) 3 groups, His Church, His disciples and His potential disciples…Make sure you find it!
-Bill Stockham