Context and Setting

Jesus' prayer for Himself is found in the Gospel of John, chapter 17, often referred to as the High Priestly Prayer. This prayer occurs after the Last Supper and before Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. It is a profound moment where Jesus, fully aware of His impending crucifixion, turns to the Father in prayer. This chapter is a part of the Farewell Discourse, where Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Content of the Prayer

In John 17:1-5, Jesus begins His prayer by addressing God as "Father," signifying the intimate relationship between the Son and the Father. He acknowledges the hour has come for His glorification, which is to be accomplished through His death, resurrection, and ascension. Jesus prays, "Glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You" (John 17:1). This request for glorification is not for personal exaltation but to reveal the Father's glory through the fulfillment of His redemptive plan.

Jesus continues by affirming His authority over all flesh, given by the Father, to grant eternal life to those whom the Father has given Him. He defines eternal life as knowing "You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent" (John 17:3). This statement underscores the centrality of a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ as the essence of eternal life.

In verse 4, Jesus reflects on His earthly ministry, stating, "I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do" (John 17:4). This declaration highlights Jesus' obedience and faithfulness in fulfilling the mission entrusted to Him by the Father. The work includes His teachings, miracles, and ultimately, His sacrificial death on the cross.

Finally, Jesus petitions, "And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed" (John 17:5). This request points to the pre-existence of Christ and His divine nature, affirming His eternal glory with the Father before the incarnation. Jesus longs to return to the heavenly glory that He temporarily set aside to accomplish the work of salvation.

Theological Significance

Jesus' prayer for Himself reveals several key theological themes. Firstly, it emphasizes the unity and co-equality of the Father and the Son, as Jesus seeks to glorify the Father through His own glorification. Secondly, it highlights the purpose of Jesus' mission—to grant eternal life through the revelation of God. Thirdly, it underscores the pre-existence and divinity of Christ, affirming His eternal relationship with the Father.

This prayer also serves as a model of submission and obedience to God's will, as Jesus willingly embraces the path of suffering for the sake of God's glory and the salvation of humanity. It reflects the deep love and trust between the Father and the Son, providing a profound insight into the heart of Jesus as He approaches the culmination of His earthly ministry.