FATHER, THE HOUR IS COME

This beautiful chapter preserves for us the longest recorded prayer of the Lord Jesus. Beginning with request for Himself, vv. 1-5, and moving onward through the apostles, vv. 6-19, to the whole company of future believers, vv. 20-24, the prayer is all-embracive in its scope.

In its outlook this great prayer fills eternity and history. The Saviour recalls the glory He enjoyed with the Father ‘before the world was’, and, moving into time by way of His incarnation, via the cross, His mind travels on to the glorious future when His own shall be with Him where He is.

The subjects of this prayer are just as grand as its scope. Whether we consider the revelation of His word, or the unification of His own, or the preservation of His servants, or the sanctification of His people, or the glorification of all who believe, the thoughts expressed here are an unfolding of the deepest counsels of God. To be allowed the favour of hearing one person of the Godhead speak so intimately to another person of the Godhead, and so be introduced into heavenly secrets is to stand upon the plateau of highest privilege.

Did we not know the historical setting of this great prayer we would imagine that it followed the cross. Chronologically, it precedes Calvary. Theologically, it follows Calvary. The Saviour speaks in the full good of His completed work upon the cross and He anticipates His resurrection and exaltation. What noble thoughts to fill His soul on the darkest evening in history. Death is on the morrow, but His mind is full of eternal life. Tomorrow is a day of shame but eight times here He speaks of ‘glory’ or ‘glorify’. Sorrows unfathomable will be His portion shortly, but here He speaks of ‘my joy fulfilled’.

We can detect in the atmosphere of this intercession a longing for home. The Saviour is going back to His Father’s place and the anticipation fills His heart with gladness. It is our privilege, as we engage in prayer, to breathe deeply our native air. Amid the unhealthy atmosphere of earth, we can hereby inhale the pure atmosphere of heaven.