“And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”– John 17:5 (KJV)
“Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.”– John 17:5 (NLT)
“And now, Father, glorify me with your own glory, the glory I had with you before the world began.”– John 17:5 (MSG)
What Does John 17:5 Mean?
This verse is part of a prayer Jesus was praying during the last supper with His disciples. It is significant because it reflects the deep relationship between Jesus and the Father. In saying, “glorify thou me with thine own self,” Jesus is asking to return to the divine glory He had before He came to earth. It highlights the principle of glory in connection with the identity of Jesus as the Son of God. We need to pause and think about why Jesus would want to return to that glory and what that means for us.
When Jesus speaks of glory, He is referring to the radiant brightness associated with God’s presence. This glory signifies not just light but the overwhelming majesty, purity, and holiness of the Father. By requesting to be glorified with that glory, He affirms His divine nature and His pre-existence with God. Jesus is unique; He was both fully God and fully human. This request reminds us that he willingly took on human form and faced our challenges.
John 17:5 Explanation and Commentary
Speaking on John 17:5, we see an invitation into a conversation between Jesus and God the Father. The setting is intimate and profound, making it clear that this isn’t just any casual request. Jesus is affirming His divine sovereignty and wishing to return to His position of glory. This is a moment of reflection for us too. Wouldn’t we want to return to our true selves after enduring something challenging?
The phrase “glorify thou me” speaks to a close relationship where both parties understand their roles. Jesus acknowledges that His purpose was to glorify the Father during His time on earth through His acts of love, healing, and sacrifice. We see a beautiful cycle of glorification here. In glorifying Jesus, the Father is glorified, and this relationship exemplifies the unity of purpose within the Trinity.
When we place ourselves in this narrative, we might think about times when we felt underappreciated or misunderstood. In those moments, the desire for recognition can be strong. Jesus models a different perspective: His aim was not self-serving but was tied to a greater mission. He wants us to understand that glory in the Kingdom of God is different than worldly recognition. It’s about purpose, love, and serving God’s plan.
Jesus’ glory is manifold. He showed earthly glory through miracles and teachings, but ultimately it was through His willingness to lay down His life that He demonstrated the greatest glory of all: sacrificial love. As we reflect on this verse, we are encouraged to ask ourselves how we can reflect God’s glory in our lives. Are our actions motivated by love and purpose? Do we seek to glorify others as Jesus did? In doing so, we participate in the divine calling to be spreaders of love, light, and hope.
Context of John 17:5
Understanding the context of John 17:5 is vital for a fuller grasp of its meaning. This event happens just before Jesus’ crucifixion. He is aware of the impending events, giving His disciples a last lesson in love and servitude. The chapter is often referred to as the “High Priestly Prayer,” where Jesus prays for Himself, His disciples, and for all believers. The urgency of His words and the depth of His emotions set the stage for this rich dialogue with the Father.
At this moment, Jesus not only acknowledges His unique relationship with God but demonstrates His understanding of His role in God’s salvation plan. As He prays, He knows the trials and tribulations that lie ahead for Him and His followers. In this prayer, we see His desire for unity, dependence, and faithfulness in the face of what is to come. The request to be glorified directly connects with His fulfillment of God’s plan: His dying on the cross and subsequent resurrection.
The impact of Jesus’ prayer echoes through millennia. It encourages us as believers to understand the significance of our relationship with God. We are called not only to engage in prayer but to recognize our identity in Christ. We are to carry forth His mission, glorifying God in all that we do. This isn’t just a personal theology it’s a call to community, a challenge to reflect love, grace, and humility in our everyday lives.
By examining this verse in its context, we find encouragement and a model for our relationships with one another. Just as Jesus prayed for His disciples, we too should be praying and supporting each other through our own journeys. It reinforces the idea that our lives are to be acts of love towards one another, glorifying God in the process.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of John 17:5
Each element of John 17:5 is profound and work by interconnected thoughts that could fill a lifetime of study. The plea to “glorify me with thine own self” aligns Jesus’ divine authority with His humanity. It’s an acknowledgment that He chose to leave the perfection of heaven to walk among us in a world filled with sadness and pain.
This prayer speaks not only of historical events but also of future significance. As disciples today, we are called to both recognize and spread this glory in our daily lives. Here we find Jesus calling upon God the Father, which illustrates the interconnected relationship. This norm provides us with a beautiful understanding of how prayer functions—it’s a life-giving connection to God.
The phrase, “before the world was,” signifies Jesus’ eternal nature. This gives a larger cosmic perspective on His being. His existence wasn’t confined to a single time frame or a single event. When we grasp this, we understand the vastness of God’s love. It transcends our limited human experiences. It reflects how God had a plan for humanity long before time began, and we find ourselves woven into that story.
In recognizing these different elements, we are led to acknowledge the most critical aspect of Jesus’ life: His sacrifice on the cross, a moment when glory met humility and love conquered sin. It challenges us to behave in kindness and grace toward others. It serves as a call for us to glorify God in our everyday. When we reflect on our relationships, our work, and our decisions, we should root our actions in the same humility and love that Christ exemplified during His time on this Earth.
Lessons to Learn From John 17:5
This scripture possesses timeless lessons that inspire us on our journey today. One of the most significant lessons we can learn is the essence of godly glory. When we think of glory, it is easy to associate it with fame or accolades. However, the glory spoken of in John 17:5 shifts this understanding. It is not self-serving, nor does it come from worldly success. It is about reflecting God’s nature through love, servitude, and sacrifice.
Jesus invites us to embrace our spiritual identity which does not seek to demand recognition but instead aims to uplift others. We are reminded that true greatness in God’s Kingdom flips the script: the first shall be last, and the meek shall inherit the earth. It’s an invitation to examine our motives and align them with grace-oriented actions in our relationships, workplaces, and communities.
Another essential lesson is the power of prayer. In this text, we observe Jesus in direct communication with the Father. We can echo this example in our lives by prioritizing communication with God. This means not just talking but also listening. Prayer can draw us closer to understanding God’s purposes, and it serves as a reminder of our dependence on divine guidance. It shapes our perspectives and bolsters us during challenging times.
As followers of Christ, we are also invited to share in this divine mission. It can feel daunting but knowing that we are supported by God—and each other—creates strength. We are part of a greater story, one that calls us to love, serve, and support those around us. Even in our struggles, this lesson compels us to press on, knowing we are part of something incredibly beautiful and meaningful.
Final Thoughts
In closing, John 17:5 offers a glimpse into the heart of Jesus—a heart filled with love, sacrifice, and devotion to the Father. As we reflect on His words, we should be encouraged that we too can glorify God in our lives. It invites us into a relationship, encouraging us to explore and deepen our understanding of our identity as children of God.
Our journey of faith is about embracing grace, living in unity, and desiring to glorify God through our actions. So let us ask ourselves: How can we better reflect God’s glory in our daily lives? How can we uplift those around us? Let us carry the lessons of humility and love into our communities and be vessels that shine brightly for others to see.
For more enriching themes and thoughts alike, feel free to check out other scripture reflections like John 7:13 or Numbers 13:20. May our hearts be ever seeking the glory of God in all we do!