Day 26: Jesus Is Praying For Himself
Read John 17:1-5
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”
Reflect
This entire chapter in John 17 is one prayer that Jesus prayed. If you have time, it would be best to read the prayer in its entirety each day over the next three days. The prayer is broken down into three segments: Jesus praying for Himself (vs. 1-5); Jesus praying for His followers (vs. 6-19); Jesus praying for us (vs. 20-26). First, note that when Jesus prays, He begins by addressing God as “Father.” Even though we are used to hearing God referred to as Father, this was revolutionary in the first-century. The word, “Father” in Greek is “Pater” and in Aramaic it is, “Abba” which is translated as, “daddy, da-da or papa.” Jesus began His prayer by addressing God with the most intimate word for a father there is. He was calling out to Him, “Daddy.”
Usually, a child’s first word is “da-da” then, eventually, daddy. In Aramaic it’s “ab-ab” and matures into the word “Abba.” Jesus is going to God in His final time here on earth by calling out to Him, “da-da, daddy, pa-pa” like a 15-month old toddler. Think about little ones in need and the way they look up as they call out to their fathers, exclaiming, “daddy” with their little hands raised high to be lifted up. This is the intimacy, dependency and love that Jesus had towards His Heavenly Daddy. He is reaching out to Him asking for what He needed at that moment. He asked that His life would be magnified through His death so that His Daddy would be glorified (v1-2). Secondly, He longed for everyone living on earth (present and future) to experience eternal life through believing in Jesus (v.3). Thirdly, Jesus is asking God to place Him back in the position He had before He came to earth, which is at the right hand of God, the Father (v.5).
Jesus had needs while He lived here on earth as a human and went to Abba for everything He needed. He didn’t think God was too busy to ask Him for what He needed, or that His needs were too big or small, and thus, He prayed with confidence. He could have prayed this prayer quietly to Himself, but He prayed out loud to model this to His disciples and to us. He wants us to know that we can go to God as our Abba (papa, daddy) in all our vulnerability, like a small child, because His love for us is impeccable - it’s perfect in every way.
Jesus had needs while He lived here on earth as a human and went to Abba for everything He needed.
Respond
Maybe you didn’t have a great relationship with your biological father – indeed, no one’s biological father was ideal because our dads were fully flesh and messy just like us. But our Abba Father is perfect and He loves you perfectly and unconditionally for exactly who you are.
Jesus modeled for us throughout His whole life that we can go to Abba with everything we need whether it is big or small. If it’s important to you, it’s important to Him. Plus, He already knows your needs, but He wants you to humble yourself and go to Him. “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:8)
What are you in need of today? Is it wisdom in your singleness, marriage, or with raising children? Is it peace over a deep hurt or loss of a loved one? Maybe it’s a frustration with your career or discontentment with life in general. Whatever it is, you can ask Abba. What would happen if you reach your hands up and go to Abba like a child going to his empathetic, loving daddy then asking expectantly for what you need? It may feel a little awkward at first, but God is kind, understanding, patient, and loves you more than you can imagine. He wants to give you peace and guidance in every area of your life.