"And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was ..." (John 17:5)
The above scripture is spoken by Jesus who is about to be betrayed by one of His disciples. The garden where this happened was known by the disciples "for Jesus oft times resorted thither with His disciples." (John 18:2)
As Jesus speaks these words in John 17:5, note that He lifts up His eyes to heaven, saying, "Father, the hour is come, glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee." At this point, Jesus confirms that Thou hast given Him power over all flesh and continues declaring, "that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him. And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God and Jesus Christ which Thou hast sent. I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gave Me to do. And now O Father glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was." (John 17:1-5)
Sadly, many stumble at these scriptures -- not understanding the extent of Jesus words herein, and how much He loved each and every one of us to have endured the shame of the cross -- so that we might know perfect love in Him.
Specifically, this passage is a perfect example of God calling "those things which be not as though they were." In the scriptures, we see this occur a lot, wherein God makes a statement that appears to have happened but in reality, the statement is a prophecy referring to something that will occur in the future.
An example of this is found in Hebrews 4: "For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard [it]. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as He said, "As I have sworn in My wrath, if they shall enter into My rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world." For He spake in a certain place of the seventh [day] on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works." (Hebrews 4:2-4)
Another example that appears to have occurred in the past but had not yet happened can be found in Revelation 13 -- the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." For those who may not be aware, God had established a plan of redemption (salvation) before the foundation of the world was formed. He knew that in order for Him to gain a family for Himself, He would have to prepare for Himself a body - that would endure the cross, so that we who believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
Thus, many times in the scriptures (particularly in the Old Testament) we see prophetic statements made regarding the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Indeed, He knew all along that humanity would sin and need a sacrificial Lamb that would pay the ultimate price for our sins. For this cause ... (Hebrews 9:8, 14-18)
Romans 4 further establishes the breadth and depth and this underlying premise of prophecy yet to be fulfilled in the scriptures, and similarly, how (in this current dispensation of grace) our salvation is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed, not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham -- "(As it is written, I have made thee a Father of many nations) before Him whom he believed, [even] God, who quickens the dead and calls those things which be not as though they were, who against hope believed in hope, that He might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be." (Romans 4:17-18; Romans 9:8; Romans 15:8; Galatians 3; John 5:21; I Corinthians 1:28; )
This same God who knows everything is able to see things in the future and make events seem as if they have already occurred. In this John 17 example, the Lamb (that in His mind) was "slain from the foundation of the world" did not occur until the Lamb was actually slain at Calvary for you and I. As John the baptizer declared in seeing Jesus approach, "Behold, the Lamb of God."
Likewise, when we read John 17:5, we see Christ praying to (or perhaps more aptly stated -- in) the Spirit (Father) in the Garden. It is important to note here that Jesus has not yet been glorified. (Acts 1:2-3) As well, we need to understand that the crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and His glorification were still yet to take place in the future.
But because God knew from the very beginning that His salvation plan (these redemptive events) would take place, He could declare the salvation plan as if they had already taken place. Hence, Christ praying, "...with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was"-- the Lamb and His glorification were in the mind of God from the very beginning.
"For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it; He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited; I AM the Lord; and there is none else. I have not spoken in secret; in a dark place of the earth; I said not unto the seed of Jacob, "Seek ye Me in vain; I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right." (Isaiah 45:18-19)
Thus, the purpose of the Son was for the redemption of all mankind -- His glory from the crucifixion (as prophesied) soon to follow. Remember, Jesus is God manifest in the flesh. ((I Timothy 3:16) To wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. (II Corinthians 5:19) He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11)
As the Lord God prophesied through Isaiah, God Himself will not share His glory with any other.
"I AM the LORD: that is My name: and My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images." (Isaiah 42:8)
Therefore, as Jesus prayed in the garden, He knew that He was the Lamb which was soon to be slain. But He also knew that His glorification would soon follow wherein He -- the "risen" Jesus -- through the Holy Ghost would then give commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3) The Comforter -- who would never leave us nor forsake us. Indeed, He understood that the plan for redemption that had always been in the mind of God -- from the very foundation of the world was now unfolding.
Behold, the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world.
On this side of the cross, we are also privileged to understand that this same Jesus -- both Lord and Christ (according to Peter standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost) did receive His glory after His resurrection. As Peter said, "This same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ!" (Acts 2:36)
Stand in the offering plate.
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