OR 31
October 31
John 17:1-5. Christ begins to pray in the presence of his apostles.
The Lord Jesus often prayed with his disciples; but very few of his prayers are recorded. This is the last before his death that he offered up in their presence, and on their behalf. While they listened, they were filled with grief, for they feared it was the last. Jesus knew their feelings, and he avoided using any expressions that could increase their sorrow. When he speaks of his departure, instead of saying, "I die," he says, "I leave the world," "I go to the Father," or, "I come to you." The compassionate Savior sought to bind up the wounded hearts of his disciples. He is the tenderest of friends. If we go to Him in our troubles, we shall find him so. Many who wish to console do not know how; in attempting to bind up wounds they tear them open, but Jesus has a gentle hand, as well as a compassionate heart.
While consoling his disciples, he seems for a time to rise above his own afflictions. A little while before, at the supper-table, he was troubled in spirit; a little while after, in the garden, he was exceedingly sorrowful; but during his solemn walk from Jerusalem to Gethsemane, he appeared to be filled with thoughts of his approaching glory.
He lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you." With what feelings must he have lifted up his eyes to that heaven whence he came! He had seen its bright inhabitants, had heard its sweet songs, had breathed its pure air. O how he must have longed to take the wings of a dove, and to return to his rest! But first he must wade through a sea of sorrow. With meekness he says, "Father, the hour is come." And what is his petition—"Glorify your Son." Afterwards be repeats that petition, and enlarges it, saying, "Now, O Father, glorify me with your own self, with the glory which I had with you before the world began." (ver. 6.)
Our recollections cannot go back even to the beginning of our own short lives; but the thoughts of Jesus dwelt upon events that took place before the foundation of the world. He remembered the glory he once possessed in the bosom of the Father; he remembered the mighty reasons that caused him to leave it. His Father had entered into a covenant with Him—he had appointed him a work, and had promised him a reward. That work was the destruction of Satan. That reward was eternal life to be given to as many as the Father had given him.
But had he finished the work? By faith he saw it as already finished; for though the most excruciating agonies still remained to be endured, yet he felt as if they were already past; so short the suffering appeared, and so certain the victory. And the reward would richly compensate for all the pangs of the cross. He would "see of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied." (Is. 53:11.) His prayer was, "Glorify your Son." The prayer will be answered through the ages of eternity, as the innumerable saints clothed in white robes with palms in their hands, cry with a loud voice, "Salvation to our God which sits upon the throne, and to THE LAMB." (Rev. 7:10.)
It was this prospect which sustained the Savior through all his sufferings. It was because of this "joy" set before him, that he "endured the cross, and despised the shame." (Heb. 12:2.)