John 17:4-5

"I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work which you have given Me to do. Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was."

John chapter 17 is known as the High Priestly Prayer. This entire chapter is a prayer in which Jesus intercedes for those who are His. It is a picture of His present ministry in heaven where He prays for His people.

I'd like to quote from a few well know Bible commentators*. Marcus Rainsford has written:

"Notice what He prays for. All the Lord's petitions for His people relate to spiritual things; all have reference to heavenly blessings. The Lord does not ask riches for them, or honours, or wordly influence, or great preferments, but He does most earnestly pray that they may be kept from evil, separated from the world, qualified for duty, and brought home safely to heaven."

What an excellent example for us to follow in our prayers. We too often get lost in praying for material things, health, and other earthly "treasure". Jesus' prayer shows us the things that are important to be praying for.

When Jesus prayed this pray he was at the Last Supper. He had just finished explaining to his disciples what was about to happen. In chapter 18 Judas betrays Jesus. So this is Jesus' final earthly prayer with his disciples. In this final prayer he gives his disciples (and us) and example of what it will be like when he "returns" to heaven.

Bible commentator William MacDonald writes:

"As the Lord uttered these words, He was speaking as if He had already died, been buried, and risen again. He had glorified the Father by His sinless life, by His miracles, by His suffering and death, and by His resurrection. He had finished the work of salvation the Father had given Him to do."

Jesus is saying in this prayer that He has obeyed the Father. In doing so He has been an example for us to follow--so that we will know what it is like to obey the Father perfectly. Yes, we are not perfect. But, Jesus is the perfect example for us to follow.

Verse 5 is a great verse. Here's what William MacDonald writes:

"Before Christ came into the world, He dwelt in heaven with the Father. When the angels looked upon the Lord, they saw all the glory of Deity. Toi every eye, He was obviously God. But when He came among men, the glory of Deity was veiled. Though He was still God, it was not apparent to most onlookers. They saw Him merely as the carpenter's Son. Here, the Savior is praying that the visible manifestation of His glory in heaven might be restored.

The words "glorify Me together with Yourself" mean "glorify Me in Your presence in heaven. Let the original glory which I shared with You before My incarnation be resumed." This clearly teaches the pre-existence of Christ."

God does not share His glory with anyone. But, in verse 5 it plainly says that Jesus had glory--shared the glory--with God in the past. He could only do this, if He is God. So this is another verse that tells us plainly that Jesus is God.

* Quotes are from the Believer's Bible Commentary by William MacDonald. This is an excellent single volume commentary that is reasonably priced.