Scripture

John 17:1-5

“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, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”
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Prayer

Father, you have received glory and given glory to the Son.  Let our lives reflect that glory today.  Guide us to be in your presence and be your presence in this world.  We long to see ourselves glorified; break us from this quick and false end.  Our glory is for a moment but yours is for eternity.  Let us follow after you through Jesus. Amen

Meditation

When someone is speaking in third person it can be a huge turn off.  How important does this person think they are?  Lee Hinkle really loves people.  Lee knows how to connect well with them.  Lee likes to eat.  Lee is a good eater. See what I mean?  Now while some of those things or even all of those things might be true it is odd to have it spoken in that way.  

So what is going on at the beginning of this prayer?  Is it just John on his relaying of the prayer he heard, forgetting to quote Jesus?  Is this an attempt to make sure we, the listeners/readers, are aware that Jesus is the son of God?  That He is glorified, sent and the way of eternal life?

I don’t know for sure why it is this way but it does cause me to pause each time I read this prayer.  It draws me toward the words that are being spoken by Jesus.  It challenges me in how easily I practically forget that eternal life is to know God and Jesus.  Mentally I assent to it quite easily but practically I think it is more on me to gain eternal life.  Teach me to know you Father through Jesus Christ.

Action

Ask God to reveal where you are practically removing His completed work in your life.  Those places where you are relying on your good work or clean living or right thinking is producing eternal life for you.  Seek repentance and to know Him fully.