September 17

"These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee." — John 17:1.

OUR SAVIOUR had now finished his farewell sermon to his disciples, recorded in the preceding three chapters of this Gospel, and to this the evangelist alludes when he says, "These words spake Jesus." The text is a part of Christ's Intercessory Prayer, which may be considered as a standing monument of his affection to the Church, and a pattern of his prevailing intercession in heaven. Observe

THE GESTURE HE USED. "He lifted up his eyes to Heaven." Gestures are actions suited to the feelings and dispositions of the mind. Our Lord's expression or gesture teaches us three things.

To cultivate reverential feelings. In all our approaches to God, we must remember his greatness, his glory, and his majesty; and contrast with it our own insignificance and unworthiness.

To cherish spiritual desires. Lifting up the eye to God in prayer, intimates the lifting up of the soul to him. Outward expressions will avail nothing where the inward feeling is wanting. The plumage of the eagle serves it both for ornament and flight — strip it of that, and you leave it helpless and deformed, as a reptile of the dust: what wings are to the eagle, prayer is to the Christian; take this from him, and he falls to the ground, unadorned and unsupported.

To seek a heavenly portion. The men of the world look downwards to the earth, because their treasures are there; but grace teaches us to look above this lower world, to renounce all earthly things for our portion.

THE PRAYER HE OFFERED. Notice

The object of this prayer. He said, "Father." It was in the capacity of Mediator, our Lord addressed the Father in prayer; and not as God. This intimates no inferiority of person, but of office.

The period of this prayer. "The hour is come." What hour? The time when he was to be delivered into the hands of his enemies; the hour of his passion. We have here a striking proof of the Godhead of Christ. He knew the precise time of his sufferings drew near, although there was, as yet, no outward appearance of it; he did not now see the soldiers coming to apprehend him; but yet he said, "Father, the hour is come."