John 17:1-5, NKJV and AMP
John 17 is our Lord’s last prayer; it is often called Jesus’ “high priestly” prayer. After Jesus had had a long talk with His disciples, telling them many things in John 13:31-16:33, including that He would soon leave them and prophesying of suffering and Christian persecution, He prayed to His heavenly Father. He lifted up His eyes to heaven, and prayed: Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You (v.1). Jesus knew that His earthly mission was to seek and save lost souls, and the time of His death had come. He continued His prayer, requesting that the Father glorify Him so that He also may glorify the Father. He prayed for the Father to glorify Him just as the Father has given Him power and authority over all flesh that He should give eternal life to as many as the Father has given Him (v.2). Jesus’ earthly ministry was finished so He had to die to be glorified. In His glory He could give life permanently and forever to every person that God gave Him. He continued praying in verse 3 about what eternal life is. It is “that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. He prayed that He has glorified the Father on the earth and has finished the work which the Father has given Him to do (v.4). He is saying to the Father that He has fulfilled His purpose on earth. Now, His request is “O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory and majesty which I had with You before the world existed” (v.5). Yes, even though Jesus always had glory, it was shrouded in his flesh. Shout glory and give God a hand clap of praise for He is worthy.