47.JOHN 17 v 1-8: In this chapter we get to listen in to Jesus at prayer to His Father. I would like to focus on the word 'glory' this morning. Jesus uses it four times in this short passage and this emphasises to us that His time of being glorified is drawing near and that this is not so much in His resurrection, but His death.

John is a writer, of genius we can read this Gospel in so many ways, but it is in particular the threads running throughout his book that make him stand out as a writer. He writes about Jesus being the glory of the Father in chapters 1 v 14-'We (the disciples) have seen His glory'; 2 v 11-'This miraculous sign at Cana was the first time Jesus revealed His glory'; 11 v 40, at the tomb of His friend Lazarus, the words of Jesus: ''Didn't I tell you that you would see God's glory if you believe?'' 12 v 28, 'A voice from Heaven said, ''I have brought glory to My Name and I will do so again''.

John wrote to impress on the reader the Majesty, the high Christological view we should have of Jesus. In John's eyes, this was not simply a good man, a hero, a saint, but the living God. Particularly in the chapters to come, John will remind us of his full humanity also. We have read about Christ's tears, about Him washing feet, soon will read of Him as high and lifted up, the horrific image of a flayed, naked man left on a cross to die horribly (it is hard to write when tears are pouring down!). At that point Jesus is glorified most of all as His mission is fulfilled, He hasn't been waylaid by the Devil and victory is complete.

The words of Graham Kendrick's 'Meekness and Majesty'...

Father's pure radiance perfect in innocence
Yet learns obedience to death on a cross
Suffering to give us life
Conquering through sacrifice
And as they crucify prays Father forgive

O what a mystery meekness and majesty
Bow down and worship for this is your God
This is your God.

Lift your eyes up to the coming King! God bless you, David,