Connect John 17:5 with Philippians 2:6-7 on Jesus' humility and divinity. Setting the Scene John 17 records Jesus praying moments before Gethsemane; Philippians 2 preserves an early hymn Paul quotes while urging believers to “have this mind among yourselves.” Both passages unveil the same truth from different angles—Jesus is eternally God and yet willingly stooped to serve. John 17:5—Eternal Glory Stated “ And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed. ” •Pre-existent: “before the world existed” points to timeless deity (cf. John 1:1-3). •Shared glory: divine honor unique to God alone (Isaiah 42:8). •Conscious request: Jesus knows who He is and what He once enjoyed. Philippians 2:6-7—Voluntary Humility Explained “ Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. ” •“Existing in the form of God” affirms full deity. •“Did not consider… to be grasped” shows He did not cling to privileges. •“Emptied Himself” = laid aside rightful glory, not deity (cf. 2 Corinthians 8:9). •“Took the form of a servant” echoes Isaiah 53’s Suffering Servant. •“Being made in human likeness” underlines real incarnation (John 1:14). One Seamless Narrative 1.Before creation: John 17:5 places the Son sharing glory with the Father. 2.Incarnation: Philippians 2:6-7 tells how that glorious Son stepped into humanity. 3.Mission climax: John 17 finds Him on the eve of the cross, about to return through suffering to the glory He set aside. Humility Does Not Diminish Divinity •Only One who truly possesses divine glory can choose to veil it. •His stooping displays the character of God: love that serves (Mark 10:45). •The cross, far from contradicting deity, reveals it (Hebrews 1:3). Why This Matters Today •Assurance: The Savior who died for us is the eternal Lord who made us (Colossians 1:15-17). •Example: The higher our position, the greater our call to serve (Matthew 20:28). •Worship: Seeing both His majesty and meekness draws wholehearted praise (Revelation 5:12). |
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