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Between this and the one offered in Gethsemane there is a difference we cannot help observing. Both were offered on the same night, yet in the one Christ is filled with calmness and triumph, and in the other with agony and dejection. This has been seized by sceptics as proof of the untrustworthiness of Scripture. But note —

1. That whilst Christ was Divine He was also human. In proportion as human nature is refined and sensitive it is liable to varying moods arising out of the different influences which play upon it. Christ's humanity was peculiarly so.

2. That Christ was wont, at times, to dwell upon separate aspects of His destiny. Some were bright, others dark. What more natural in pondering the former as He does here, He should rise into ecstasy.

3. That whatever the Saviour's mood, He was always true to His redeeming purpose. Proceeding to the prayer, note —

I. THAT JESUS SPEAKS TO GOD ON THE GROUND OF GOD'S FATHERLY RELATION. He does not go as servant or subject, but as child, and says "Father" six times in the prayer. Mark —

1. How unrestrictedly the name is used. Not "My" Father. He had already taught His disciples to say "Our Father;" so now He makes no selfish appropriation of the name: teaching us Christ's perfect oneness with ourselves, and our privilege to trust in the love of God.

2. How reverently the name is spoken! The tone we cannot hear; but the gesture suggests it, and the epithets of vers. 11 and 25. When you go to the Father never lose sight of the Sovereign, lest you dishonour Him and disgrace yourselves.

II. THAT JESUS CONFESSES TO GOD HIS CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE NEAR FULFILMENT OF HIS MISSION, "The hour is come." No hour of His life was unimportant, but one hour overshadowed all others — the hour of His sacrificial death. Take that away and what is there left? To Him it was the hour of agony, but of triumph also. To us it is the hour of life and joy, shaded by the thought that to be such to us it was necessary that it should be terrible to Him.

III. THAT JESUS PRESENTS TO GOD A PETITION RESPECTING THE ISSUE OF THE CRISIS TO WHICH HE HAD COME. Although perfect He had to fortify Himself for the trial by prayer.

1. "Father, glorify Thy Son."

(1)  By inspiring Him with strength and courage.

(2)  By maintaining His integrity.

(3)  By giving Him victory.

(4)  By making the bruising of His heel to be the breaking of the serpent's head.

(5)  By raising Him from the dead and setting Him at Thy right hand.

2. "That Thy Son also may glorify Thee" — beautiful unselfishness!

(1) By showing to men that Thou art the Father, enabling Him to suffer and triumph on their behalf.

(2) By vindicating to men the grandeur of Thy attributes, and the rightness of Thy claims.

(3) By revealing to men the purposes of Thy love and the promises of Thy grace.

(4) By bringing men, through the power of His sacrifice, into loving worship at Thy feet and into the enjoyment of everlasting life in Thy presence.

(B. Wilkinson, F. G. S.)

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KJV: These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

WEB: Jesus said these things, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you;