John 17:22-24 - Homiletics

A prayer that the disciples may share in the Lord's glory.

Jesus supports his petition by declaring what he has already done for his disciples.

I. HE HAS ALREADY IMPARTED TO THEM A SHARE IN ' HIS GLORY . "And the glory which thou hast given me I have given them."

1. This glory is not apostolic office or gift of miracle .

2. It is not the glory of the future kingdom .

3. It is the glory of adoption . As Christ's glory consisted in his Sonship, so that of believers consisted in their filial dignity, as children of God and brethren of himself as the eider Brother.

4. The effect of this glory is twofold .

(a) Christ's mission would be manifest in its blessed and enduring effects.

(b) The Father's love to believers would be manifest as a love resembling that with which he regards his Son.

( α ) He loves them in Christ;

( β ) he loves them through Christ;

( γ ) his love is the guarantee that he will uphold them, as he did Christ, assist them in his service, provide for their wants, and reward them for their services.

5. Christ ' s will is that his disciples should share his throne in the heavens . "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world."

(a) Love seeks the companionship of the loved.

(b) Heaven is wherever Christ is.

(c) Union with Christ draws after it everlasting communion with him.

(a) not his essential glory, for that could not be given him,

(b) but the glory of a consummated fellowship effected between God and man.