The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 346

HOMILETICS. Vere.1-5.-0hrisfs intercessory prayer. The great High Priest appears on the eva of his final sacrifice of himself for his people. He prays, first, for restoration to his Divine·glory. , I. 'fHE ATTITUDE AND BPffilT OF Tms PRAYER, "He lifted up his eyes to heaven, and, said, Father." 1. His attitude, as he looked upwards, bespoke his reverence/or God, whose throne is in heaven, his confidence in God, and his ~pectati<m of help and comfort from on high. 2. His spirit is that of confidence and fili.al affection. If his prayer was in Aramman, he said, "Abba,'' which henceforth passes into the usage of the •Church, o.s the term so sacred to Christians (Rom. vii. 15; Ga.l. iv. 6). II. 'J'oE PURPORT OF THIS PB.AYER. "The hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee." 1. There was an hour appointed, in the Divine counsels for his death and Passion. It was the fitting time. 'l'he best remedy for such a sad moment is prayer. 2, It was an hour that involved in its consequences the glorification of the Son. (1) Not by his mere death, (2) nor by his resurrection, (3) but by the change in his personal condition, which would enable him in heav~n to consummate the work he bad begun on earth. 3. Mark how tlie glorification of the Father and the Bon are inextricably linke,l togetl1er. 4. Mark the authority which Christ has received, as Mediator, ouer the whole human race. "As thou hast given him authority over all flesh, that be should give eternal life to e.s many as thou hast given him." (1) Mark the universality of the gospel; for it applies, not to Israel only, but to all people (Matt. xxviii. 19). (2) 'l'he authority of the Son over the race of man is conferred by the Father. It is not implied that the Son was not God, because he received all from bis Father, for the text speaks of his authority as Mediator. (3) The design of this nuthority is that he might give eternal life to his own people. (a) All believers are the 1/'atber's gift to the Son, as his charge and as his reward (lsa. liii. 10). We may, there- fore, infer that snch a gift will not be in vain. (b) Eternal life is Christ's free gift to sinners. (a) It is not temporary life, but life without break or end. (13) It is a life, as ., Puritnn says, unbought, unsought, unthought, by sinners.  THE GOSPEL AOOORDIN'G TO ST. JOHN. [oa. xvn. 1-26.