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 ESV
As the hour that was planned since the dawn of time had finally arrived, the purpose of Jesus’ earthly journey was about to finish, and He was about to return to the Father, He prayed to the Father. This is like when a child has gone on a trip, and before he returns home, he calls home. The Lord is inviting us to listen in to the prayer of all prayers — His prayer to the Father before returning home, a prayer that reveals our Savior’s heart, and the deep and rich relationship between the Son and the Father. Throughout His journey on earth, we learned that Jesus had humbly submitted to the Father’s will, and He closely walked and worked with the Father in everything that He did to bring glory to God. “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do” – His miracles, His ministry, His life had glorified God. And when it comes to the final hour of His mission, He prayed and asked the Father to glorify Him, so the Father can be glorified. Such a divine and close relationship between the son and the Father! The same relationship between Jesus and the Father is now shared with us, who received the gift of eternal life through Christ.
As we receive the gift of eternal life at the moment we believe, we too were given a purpose — that is to glorify God with our eternal life. That purpose was not meant to be carried out by me alone. Jesus herein set an example for us. In all times, good or bad, let us fall back upon our relationship with our Father, our great God. He always listens when we call, and His eyes always see us wherever we are. With open arms, He receives us. If not to the Father, where else would His child go?
Dear Father, thank you for not only giving me eternal life, but eternal life with a purpose and a relationship with You, the loving Father, the great God. Help me to remain in You, walk with You, and glorify You.
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