Some refer to our Lord’s prayer recorded in John 17 as His “high priestly prayer,” because of our Savior’s intercession for His disciples. This prayer is in three sections: 1) Jesus prays for Himself (vs.1-5); then 2) Jesus prays for His disciples (vs. 6-19); then 3) Jesus prays for all believers (including us) (vs. 20-26).
Today, let’s focus in on what our Lord prayed for Himself. As He prays for Himself, He prays about His glorification. The Lord mentions five “glories” - 1) The glory of His sacrificial death (v. 1a); 2) The glory of the Father’s redemptive plan (v. 1b); 3) The glory of His obedient life (v. 4); 4) The glory of His victorious resurrection (v. 5a); and 5) The glory of His exalted divinity (v. 5b).
In Scripture, we see the all three persons of the Trinity at work in our salvation: 1) The Father devised the plan for our salvation; 2) The Son accomplished the provision for our salvation; and 3) The Spirit brings the person to salvation.
The work of the Father and the Son are highlighted in our Savior’s high priestly prayer. In verses 2 and 3, our Savior speaks of the salvation provided by means of His obedient life; His sacrificial death; His victorious resurrection; and His wonderful exaltation.
Let’s notice what He tells us about our glorious salvation.
1. The mystery of salvation – Salvation is by God’s grace.
“for you granted”
Salvation is something that has been provided completely by God’s initiative and power; and it is something that I am blessed to receive and experience, also only by virtue of God’s initiative and power.
Jesus emphasized again and again that salvation is totally the work of God. For example, in Mark 10:23-27, when our Savior challenged the prevailing idea that those who were rich were rich because of God’s favor, and were, therefore, the ones in society most likely to be saved, His disciples, said, “If the wealthy have a difficult time being saved, then who can be saved?”
To which Jesus responded by saying, “With man it is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” When it comes to salvation, if we look to man, we get what man can do, which is nothing; but when we look to God, we get what God can do, which is everything!
Longfellow could take a worthless piece of paper, write a poem on it, and make it worth $6,000 - that is genius. Rockefeller could sign his name to a piece of paper and make it worth millions - that is capital. Uncle Sam can take paper, stamp an image on it and make it worth $100 - that is money. An artist can take a $5 piece of canvas, paint a picture on it, and make it worth $1,000 - that is art. A mechanic can take material worth $5 and make a part worth $50 - that is skill. But only God can take a worthless, sinful life, wash it in the blood of Christ, put His Spirit in it, and make it a blessing to humanity - that is salvation.
This is why salvation is by faith. Faith is our choosing to trust God for salvation. Faith is “Forsaking All, I Trust Him.” Salvation is not a question of “achieving” but a question of “receiving.”
2. The manner of salvation – Salvation is God’s gift.
“that he might give”
“For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]” - Ephesians 2:8-9 (Amplified)
Taking credit for accepting the gift of salvation through faith in Christ is kind of like a guy taking credit for choosing to accept a gift of 10 million dollars. I mean, that isn’t a decision that anybody deserves to take any credit for because anyone with half a brain would accept.
“On the one hand, Christianity is the most exclusive religion imaginable. It insists that belief in Jesus Christ is absolutely necessary for salvation. Jesus is the only way. You must go to Him to get eternal life. On the other hand, Christianity is the most inclusive religion possible because it makes salvation accessible to everyone. Salvation is offered for all people through one Person. Whoever believes in Him will not perish. Anyone who receives or believes in Jesus will live forever with God. There are no racial, social, intellectual, or economic criteria that prevent anyone from joining God’s family. One of the problems with the other religions of the world is that they all smack of elitism… Only Christianity offers salvation to everyone as a free gift.” - Philip Graham Ryken
3. The might of salvation – Salvation has God’s guarantee.
“those you have given him”
We are the Father’s gift to the Son.
“For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent medraws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.”- John 6:44 (NIV)
Now, the fact that we who have received salvation through faith in Christ are the Father’s gifts to the Son is significant because of what the Bible tells us about the gifts of God:
“For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.]” - Romans 11:29 (Amplified)
No one who is truly saved ever regrets his decision; but it is even more wonderful to realize that God doesn’t regret having saved us.
A wealthy man contracted a disease for which there was no known cure. When he heard that his situation was terminal, he decided to use his wealth to fund research to find a cure. Inroads were made and medicines were discovered as a result that gave remission to his condition. He continued to give generously to research and after many years and several millions of dollars, a cure was found. When asked if all that he had given was worth the cure, his quick answer was, “When I consider the alternative, I must say it was worth it all.”
Because God the Father considered man’s salvation worth the effort, He devised a plan, which was accomplished by God the Son, and which is brought into the experience of all who would accept this free gift by faith through the work of God the Holy Spirit.
And the Father has no regrets in saving anyone by the work of the Spirit who come to Him through faith in the Son. They are the Father’s gift to the Son. And “God does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.”
4. The meaning of salvation – Salvation brings knowledge of God.
“this is eternal life: that they may know you”
Knowledge of God is the definition that Jesus gives of what it means to have eternal life - to be saved. A person who puts his faith in Christ finds that knowing God worth more than anything in this world.
“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” - Philippians 3:7-8 (NIV)
This knowledge is . . .
A. Personal - we enter into friendship with the God of the universe.
B. Progressive - we know God in ever increasing and wonderful ways.
C. Powerful - we are changed as know God more perfectly.
D. Purposeful - we know Him so we might bring Him glory.
“God’s goal in saving you was not just to make your few years on planet Earth easier or more enjoyable. He had an eternal end in view. His intent was to make you holy, as He is holy, that you might perfectly glorify Him, that you might bring Him pleasure, and that you might enjoy intimate fellowship with Him for all eternity.”- Nancy Leigh DeMoss
“Jesus cannot be separated from His teachings. Aristotle said to his disciples, ‘Follow my teachings.’ Socrates likewise said to his disciples, ‘Follow my teachings.’ Buddha said to his disciples, ‘Follow my meditations.’ Confucius said to his disciples, ‘Follow my sayings.’ And Muhammad said to his disciples, ‘Follow my noble pillars.’ But Jesus says to His disciples, ‘Follow Me.’ In all the religions and philosophies of the world, a follower can follow the teachings of its founder without having a relationship with that founder. But not so with Jesus Christ. The teachings of Jesus cannot be separated from Jesus Himself. Christ is still alive, and He embodies His teachings. This is what separates Him from every great teacher and moral philosopher in history.” - Leonard Sweet & Frank Viola, Jesus Manifesto
Are you a “Jesus follower?”
As the old Chinese proverbs puts it, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.” Have you taken that first step in knowing God - placing your faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?
