Jeffrey Holton
  • Home
  • About
    • Resume
    • Sermons
    • Family Discipleship
    • Book Reviews
    • Philippines
  • Blog
  • Pictures
  • Contact
  • Archives

A PASTOR IN TRANSFORMATION

Holy Week, DAY 1

4/15/2019

0 Comments

 
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)

Today we will look at the prayer of Jesus or also known as Jesus’ High Priestly prayer. Chapter 17 is my favorite chapter in the Gospel of John. In this passage we get a glimpse at the prayer life of Jesus. This is an intimate moment in which John was a witness and he shares it with us. It is a beautiful prayer and I think we as followers of Jesus can benefit from this prayer.

The chapter begins with Jesus looking to the heavens and praying to God the Father. This is believed to be the common stance for prayer (not the way we do it today with hands folded, heads bowed, and eyes closed) and he prays, “The hour has come…” which refers to his death, resurrection, and ascension (glorification). In His High Priestly prayer Jesus has a threefold purpose to the prayer, to pray for Himself, the disciples and for the church. Today we will look at the first purpose of his prayer. 
  1. Jesus prays for Himself (Verses 1 – 5). Why does he pray for Himself?
    1. So, He may glorify God: Jesus prays that through his death on the cross the Father will be exalted above all. He prays this not so much as a request, but as something that is going to happen. In His death God will be exalted above all as He accomplishes or completes the plan of redemption for those who belong to the Father. In His death God will be glorified because Jesus makes available eternal life to those whom God has given to Him

      What does it mean to have eternal life? This is more than just going to heaven when you die. It’s about knowing God and Jesus intimately. It is not just acknowledging intellectual belief, but it is entering a relationship with the God that affects every aspect of life here on earth. Part of the plan of redemption is for Jesus to establish a relationship with those who will believe and put their trust in Him. You may not know this but, eternal life begins here on earth and continues until we are in the presence of the Father.

    2. So, He may be glorified in the presence of the Father: This could imply that Jesus’ pre-incarnation glory would be restored to Him through His obedience on the cross, thus the people will see that He truly is who He claims to be.

      What does “glory that I had with you before the world existed” mean? I believe it is a reference of the eternal existence of Jesus (He is not a created being but is eternal and He was present at the time of creation) and the glory He shared with the Father. Through His death, resurrection and ascension He will reclaim His throne that He left in order to bring restoration to the world

      ​As I conclude today, I would encourage you to take some time and reflect on this question“ Do I pray for myself regularly that God would be glorified in me in all that I do and say?”  Tomorrow, we will look at the next two purposes of Jesus’ prayer in the Garden.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.



    Picture
    Jeff has been in full-time ministry for thirty years. He currently serves as Executive Director at Anchor House Ministry at SeaPort Manatee in Palmetto, FL and he is a part-time Campus Pastor at West Bradenton Southside in Bradenton, Florida.

    Jeff Has authored A Lent Devotional (A Spiritual Journey to Lent) an Advent Devotional (The Advent of Jesus) and a devotional on the book of James (James: Where Faith and Life Meet). All three are available on Amazon.

    He is married to Carrie and they have four children, Micaiah, Gabe, Simon, and Berea.
    Preview or purchase Jeff's Books
    Jeff Holton Lent Devotional

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014

    Categories

    All

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About
    • Resume
    • Sermons
    • Family Discipleship
    • Book Reviews
    • Philippines
  • Blog
  • Pictures
  • Contact
  • Archives