What does "glorify Your Son" reveal about Jesus' relationship with the Father? Opening the Scene John 17:1: “After Jesus had said this, He looked toward heaven and prayed: ‘Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You.’” Defining “Glorify” • “Glorify” (Greek: doxazō) means to honor, magnify, display splendor. • Jesus is not seeking new glory but asking that the Father unveil the glory already His (John 17:5). • The petition centers on the cross, resurrection, and ascension—the climactic revelation of who He is. The Eternal Intimacy Revealed • Father–Son language shows personal, familial closeness—Jesus addresses God as “Father” 6× in this chapter. • John 1:1–2 confirms this eternal fellowship: “The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” • The request presumes constant, unhindered communion; Jesus speaks with confident expectation, not uncertainty. Mutual Glory Shared • Jesus’ glory is inseparable from the Father’s glory: “that Your Son may glorify You.” • John 5:23: “that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father.” • Philippians 2:9–11 shows the Father exalting the Son, resulting in every tongue confessing Jesus as Lord “to the glory of God the Father.” • The relationship is reciprocal, not competitive—each Person delights in magnifying the other. Authority and Mission • John 17:2: “For You granted Him authority over all flesh, so that He may give eternal life to all those You have given Him.” • The Father entrusts universal authority to the Son; the Son exercises it faithfully, spotlighting the Father’s gracious plan. • Hebrews 1:3 portrays the Son as “the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature,” underscoring shared essence and delegated authority. Unity of Will and Purpose • The request aligns perfectly with the Father’s will; Jesus never asks amiss (John 8:29). • John 10:30: “I and the Father are one.” Their unity guarantees the petition will be answered. • The cross, rather than diminishing Jesus, becomes the stage where divine love and justice shine brightest, fulfilling both Father’s plan and Son’s obedience. Practical Takeaways for Believers • Assurance: The same cooperative love that secured redemption holds our future; nothing can sever that bond (Romans 8:38-39). • Worship: Recognizing the Son’s glory is honoring the Father; true worship centers on Jesus (Revelation 5:12-13). • Imitation: Mutual self-giving within the Godhead models humble service among believers (John 13:14-15, Philippians 2:3-5). |
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