John 17:1-5
Jesus Prays for Himself
1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
Acts 4:8-12
Salvation is Found in Only Jesus
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Jesus knew the hour was upon Him that He must die for the sins of mankind...In times of trouble we pray...And so He prayed to His Father in heaven...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...
His prayer would signify that He has completed God's Plan of Salvation and could return to heaven, and be again with His Father, His rightful place...The place He has been before the world began...His prayer and His Glory would also benefit the future acts of His Apostles, as they would come to believe in His death, His resurrection, and His ascension back to heaven...A new religion, a new gospel had begun and would be glorified by His life, His death, His resurrection, and His ascension...
As we read this prayer of Jesus, we hear that God has granted Him authority to give others eternal life...God has sent His Son to fulfill His Plan of Salvation...By fulfilling God's Plan, Jesus makes eternal life available for us...How do we receive eternal life, we believe in the Father and Son...And by believing in Them we get to know Them...Jesus puts it this way as He prays...Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent...
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved...