JANUARY 16, 2026 – GLORIFICATION

READ: Jn. 17:1–5: … Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You … And this is eternal life, that they may know You …

This beautiful prayer of Jesus to His Father applies to their present situation. At the same time, as the High Priestly prayer, it applies to the entire time the Church remains in a hostile world..

It is in this context that Jesus states that the hour has come. But what hour has come (v.1)? It is the he hour of finishing the task the Father gave Him—to save His people from sin and death. Finishing this work means Jesus, as Savior, will be glorified and in that will glorify the Father who sent Him. This will happen when He gives eternal life to all whom the Father has given Him. In this His attributes shine forth: divine power, truth, faithfulness, righteousness, love, and grace (1:14).

Eternal life means loving communion (“knowledge”) with the only true God and with Jesus Christ, whom He sent (v.3). This communion already begins on earth (3:16; 5:24; 6:40; 10:28) and will be perfect in eternity (Matt. 25:46; Lk. 18:30).

From the beginning of His earthly life, Jesus did the Father’s will, and now He will finish it (4:34; 5:30). He speaks as though it is already accomplished (v.4)!

In v.5 He returns to His coming glorification. He longs to be with the Father, to take His place at the Father’s right hand (cf. Heb. 12:2; Dan. 7:13–14). What joy it will be to receive the name above every name (Phil. 2:9) and openly possess the same glory He had before the foundation of the world.

What does this prayer mean for our prayers?
Sing: Ps. 110:1,2