The Lord's Prayer

We usually refer to Matt. 6:9-13 as The Lord’s Prayer. That’s actually a misnomer. A better title would be The Disciple’s Prayer. We find The Lord’s Prayer in Jn. 17:1-26. Christ speaks to us from God in chapters 13-16, and speaks for us to God in chapter 17.

(1) Christ Prays for Himself (17:1-5)

The First Request (17:1): “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son!” On several occasions, the Jews seek to arrest Christ, but they can’t (7:30; 8:20). Why? His hour has not yet come. Now, His hour has come – His hour to be glorified. In 12:23-24, He explains how by way of a simile. For a grain of wheat to bear fruit, it must die. Similarly, for Christ to bear fruit, He must die. By His death, He gives life to His people. This act of humility is the path to glory. The Father glorifies the Son through His resurrection, ascension, and exaltation.

The First Reason (17:1-3): “That the Son may glorify you.” Christ wants His Father to glorify Him, so that He might glorify the Father. He will glorify the Father by saving the elect – those whom the Father has given to Him (17:2). He redeems them at the cross, but that’s only one half of His priestly work. Now, He must intercede for them. Unless the Father glorifies Him, He can’t accomplish His mission – to glorify the Father in the salvation of His people. How does Christ give them eternal life? He brings them to the knowledge of “the only true God” (17:3).

The Second Request (17:5): “Father, glorify me in your own presence.” Christ asks the Father to glorify Him with the glory that He possessed before the creation of the world. That’s an eternal glory. It’s a glory that’s His by virtue of His person (i.e., who He is). Three things happened to Christ at His exaltation. (1) The exaltation of His divine nature. All the thick mists and clouds which eclipsed His deity were removed. (2) The exaltation of His human nature. All the weaknesses and infirmities which encompassed His humanity were removed. (3) The exaltation of His office. His role as prophet, priest, and king could not be performed in glory until it had been performed in humility.

The Second Reason (17:4): “I glorified you on earth.” Christ wants His Father to glorify Him, because He has glorified the Father by accomplishing the work that He gave Him to do. In 12:28, the Father’s voice confirms His approval of Christ. He declares that He has already glorified His name in Christ. How? Christ’s signs. He turned water into wine, healed the lame, fed the multitude, and raised the dead. In so doing, He manifested God’s glory. Moreover, He submitted Himself to the Father’s will – all the way to cross – thereby glorifying Him.

(2) Christ Prays for His People (17:6-26)

In 17:6-10, Christ provides a detailed description of His people. (1) They know God’s name (17:6). (2) They’re recipients of God’s grace (17:6). (3) They keep God’s word (17:7). (4) They believe in Christ (17:7-8). (5) They glorify Christ (17:9).

Christ makes four prayer requests on behalf of these people.

Father, keep them (17:11-15). Christ’s own are in the world. What do we learn about the world in chapters 15-16? It hates Christ’s disciples. And so, Christ asks the Father to “keep” them. (1) The Father keeps them “in His name” (17:11). “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe” (Prov. 18:10). (2) The Father keeps them “from the evil one” (17:15) – the devil. He’s a snake, trying to deceive God’s people (Gen. 3:1-2; 2 Cor. 11:3). He’s a wolf, trying to destroy God’s sheep (Matt. 10:16; Jn. 10:12). He’s a lion, trying to devour God’s children (1 Pet. 5:8). “Did God’s eye slumber or wander one moment, there would need be no other flood to drown you, yea, the whole world, than what would come out of this dragon’s mouth” (William Gurnall).

Father, sanctify them (17:16-19). To be sanctified is to be set apart. Christ sanctified Himself, in that He set Himself apart as a sacrifice at Calvary’s cross (17:19). We’re to be sanctified from this world to God. (1) We are not “of the world” even as Christ was not “of the world” (17:16). (2) We are sent “into the world” even as Christ was sent “into the world” (17:18). “On the one hand, the church is a holy people, called out of the world to belong to God. But on the other hand it is a worldly people, in the sense of being sent back into the world to witness and to serve” (John Stott). How are we sanctified? “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (17:17).

Father, unite them (17:20-23). What do we know about this unity? (1) Its source is God: “Holy Father, keep them” (17:11). The term “keep” implies that they’re already united. People can’t produce this unity. Why? It comes from God. (2) Its object is the regenerate: “Holy Father, keep them” (17:11). They’re those who’ve been drawn to Christ (17:6), who’ve been given to Christ (17:6), and who’ve been responsive to Christ (17:6-8). (3) Its nature is spiritual: “that they may be one even as we are one” (17:22). In other words, it’s a unity of essence or being. We’re one in essence, because we’re born of the Spirit. (4) Its purpose is conviction: “that the world may know that you sent me” (17:23). This isn’t evangelistic, but punitive. This unity points to the fact that the Father is in the Son and the Son is in the Father. It’s evidence. The world knows it, yet rejects it, thereby compounding their guilt.

Father, glorify them (17:24-26). Christ desires (i.e., wills) that His “own” be with Him and see Him (17:24). This is the beatific vision. (1) It will be a “liberating” sight: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory” (Phil. 3:20-21). (2) It will be “satisfying” sight: “As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake” (Ps. 17:15). (3) It will be a “transforming” sight: “We will be like him, because we will see Him just as He is” (1 Jn. 3:2). (4) It will be an “everlasting” sight: “Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 5:17). “The Son desires that all believers shall gaze forever on him, that is, on the radiance of his divine attributes as these are reflected in his exalted human nature… and in the transformed character, the inexpressible joy, the unquenchable love, and the perfect peace of all those who enter into the rest that remains for the people of God” (William Hendriksen).


Quotable: “There is no voice which has ever been heard, either in heaven or in earth, more exalted, more holy, more fruitful, more sublime, than this prayer offered up by the Son of God Himself” (Philip Melanchthon).

New Swinnock Book

RHB has recently published a modernized version of George Swinnock's The Fading of the Flesh and the Flourishing of Faith. Check it out at:

http://www.heritagebooks.org/products/The-Fading-of-the-Flesh-and--The-Flourishing-of-Faith-%28pre%252dorder%29.html

The Publisher's Description states:

Interest in the Puritans continues to grow, but many people find the reading these giants of the faith a bit unnerving. This series seeks to overcome that barrier by presenting Puritan books that are convenient in size and unintimidating in length. Each book is carefully edited with modern readers in mind, smoothing out difficult language of a bygone era while retaining the meaning of the original authors. Books for the series are thoughtfully selected to provide some of the best counsel on important subjects that people continue to wrestle with today. What will satisfy you when your flesh and heart fail? The Puritans frequently talked about dying well. That is something we do not discuss much these days, though we should. In this book, George Swinnock presents modern readers with valuable food for thought as he expounds Psalm 73:26, “My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” Swinnock combines careful explanation with vivid illustration to reveal the futility of earthly comforts and highlight the inestimable comfort, satisfaction, and joy afforded us in Christ. Displaying the relevance of the Puritans for today, you will find this sorely neglected and sobering topic an easy, thought-provoking, and compelling read.

Quotable: “George Swinnock had the gift of illustration largely developed, as his works prove” (C. H. Spurgeon).

Rejoicing in Persecution

In Jn. 15, Christ warns us that the world hates His disciples. In Jn. 16:16-33, He encourages us – in the face of the world’s animosity – with three great truths.

(1) We have a Savior (16:16-22)

Christ tells His disciples that in “a little while” they won’t see Him (crucifixion) and in “a little while” they’ll see Him (resurrection) (16:16). The disciples are confused (16:17-19). Christ proceeds to explain that they’ll weep, while the world rejoices (16:20). But that isn’t the end of the story, for their “sorrow will turn into joy” (16:20). Their experience will be like that of a woman, who gives birth (16:21-22). She suffers while in labor. But the moment she gives birth, she forgets all about her suffering. That’s what the disciples will experience. Christ’s crucifixion will be a cause of sorrow, but His resurrection will make them forget all about it. Why? At Christ’s resurrection, God declares His satisfaction with Christ’s atoning work – the basis for our justification.

(2) We have a Mediator (16:23-28)

Through Christ, we have a new relationship with the Father. It includes two things.

First, we have the Father’s attention (16:23-25). We can go directly to Him in Christ’s name. Paul says, “For through him we (both) have access in one Spirit to the Father” (Eph. 2:18). This means two things. (1) In Christ, we speak to the Father (16:23-24). That’s prayer. (2) In Christ, the Father speaks to us (16:25). That’s Scripture.

Second, we have the Father’s affection (16:26-27). In Christ, we’re the object of the Father’s love (phileo). “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (1:12). As His children, we’re the apple of His eye.

(3) We have a Conqueror (16:29-33)

Christ brings the entire discussion to a close in 16:33, “I have said these things to you.” What things? Likely, He has in mind what He initiated back in 15:18 – the world will hate His disciples. Here, He reminds them that in the world they’ll have tribulation (16:33). Yet, they can know peace. How? Christ declares, “I have overcome the world (16:33). The cross marks the world’s downfall. “Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out” (12:31).

Summary

We have a Savior, Mediator, and Conqueror. That’s the key to rejoicing in persecution.

This joy is Christ’s (15:11). He’s its author and object.
This joy is rooted in the cross (16:20). It’s the focal point.
This joy is permanent (16:22). It isn’t contingent upon things.
This joy is full (16:24). We can enjoy nothing greater than God.

Quotable: “Bring the soul to a reconciled God in Christ, to the covenant of grace, and the sweet promises of the gospel: set before it the joys, comforts, and earnests of the Spirit; and if it be a sanctified renewed soul, it can make a rich feast upon these” (John Flavel).

The Saint's Everlasting Rest

Having suffered a physical collapse, the Puritan Richard Baxter was on (what he perceived to be) his death bed. To prepare himself for death, he began to meditate upon heaven. Baxter recovered, and he recorded the “fruit” of his meditation in The Saint’s Everlasting Rest – arguably the greatest book on heaven that has ever been written. Here are a few insights.

"God is the saints’ treasure and happiness; heaven is the place where they most fully enjoy him. A heart set upon heaven therefore is a heart set upon God. And surely, a heart set upon God, through Christ, is the truest evidence of saving grace… Christians, as you would have proof of your title to glory, labor to get your hearts above. If sin and Satan keep not your affections from thence, they will never be able to keep away your persons.

The noblest of Christians are they whose faces are set most direct for heaven… What makes such frozen, uncomfortable Christians, but their living so far from heaven?

Learn the art of heavenly-mindedness… A heart in heaven will be a most excellent preservative against temptations to sin.

The diligent keeping of your hearts in heaven will maintain the vigor of all your graces, and put life into all your duties. The heavenly Christian is the lively Christian… We run so slowly, and strive so lazily, because we so little mind the prize.

For my part, I had rather have the company of a heavenly-minded Christian than that of the most learned disputants or princely commanders.

Living in any known sin is a great impediment to a heavenly lifestyle. What havoc will this make in your soul! Oh the joys that this has destroyed, the ruin it has made among men’s graces, the soul-strengthening duties it has hindered.

Are you a slave to your appetite… a proud seeker of your own esteem… a peevish and passionate person, ready to take fire at every word or look or supposed slight? Are you a deceiver of others in your dealings, or one who would be rich – right or wrong? If this be your case, I dare say heaven and your soul are very great strangers.

Take heed of a proud and lofty spirit. There is such an antipathy between this sin and God that you will never get your heart near him, nor get him near your heart, as long as this prevails in it. If it cast the angels out of heaven, it must needs keep your heart from heaven… It cast our first parents out of paradise… and will certainly keep our hearts from paradise.

As it is ignorance of the emptiness of things below that makes men so overvalue them, so it is ignorance of the high delights above which is the cause that men so little mind them.

What a pity that Christians should ever meet together without some talk of their meeting in heaven or of the way to it, before they part. Pity that so much time is spent in vain conversation and useless disputes, and not a serious word of heaven among them."


Quotable: "Your heart will be making excursions from your heavenly meditations to other objects… Say to your heart, “Would you leave this world, and dwell forever with Christ in heaven, and not leave it one hour to dwell with Christ in meditation?" (Richard Baxter)

Hated for Christ's Sake

Christ warns His followers that the world will hate them for three reasons.

First, it hates Christ (Jn. 15:18). Why? Christ explains, “It hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil (Jn. 7:7). The world has no problem with a Christ, who’s a coach, counsellor, teacher, or humanitarian. But it won’t tolerate a Christ, who denounces sin!

Second, it resents the fact that Christ has chosen us out of the world (Jn. 15:19). The Christian makes the world feel uncomfortable, because he refuses to condone, accept, or sanction its behavior. Why did Cain hate Abel? “Because his own deeds were evil, and his brother’s righteous” (1 Jn. 3:12).

Third, it doesn’t know the Father (Jn. 15:20-21). That’s evident on three levels. (1) Because of his sin, man invents wrong ideas about God. He knows God exists. He knows God is Creator. He knows God is Judge. The problem is this: he arrives at wrong conclusions about God. That’s evident in religions such as Judaism and Islam. They’ve got it right in some respects. Yet, they’ve missed the mark in respect to so much. In so doing, they fail to worship God. (2) Because of his sin, man confuses God with His works. This is a marked decline from the first group. Man loses sight altogether of God as Creator and Judge. He loses sight of God’s self-existence and self-sufficiency. He loses sight of God’s greatness in power and wisdom. Consequently, man falls into one of two errors. He falls into pantheism: the belief that God is in nature. Or, he falls into polytheism: the belief that there are many gods. (3) Because of his sin, man worships demons instead of God. This is a marked decline from the second group. Demons are active in regards to the first two groups. However, in this third group, they’re openly worshipped. This is seen in animism. It’s marked by pervading darkness.

The “religious” world (which does not know the Father) resents Christianity’s truth claims. Unsurprisingly, its reaction is antagonistic.

How should Christians respond to the world’s hatred? For starters, we shouldn’t be surprised – like a dear caught in the headlights. Christ says that a slave will be treated as his master is treated (Jn. 15:20). Abel, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, John the Baptist, Christ, and Paul were all persecuted. John Piper provides a helpful reminder: “Frustration is normal, disappointment is normal, sickness is normal. Conflict, persecution, danger, stress – they are all normal. The mind-set that moves away from these will move away from reality and away from Christ. Golgotha was not a suburb of Jerusalem.”

“If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1 Pet. 4:14).


Quotable: “It is not the punishment, but the cause which makes the martyr” (Augustine).

The Imitation of Christ

A few thoughts for meditation from Thomas Kempis:

“If you would learn anything and know it profitably to the health of your soul, learn to be unknown and be glad to be considered despicable and as nothing.”

“On the day of judgment we will not be asked what we have read, but what we have done; not how well we have discoursed, but how religiously we have lived.”

“In the heart of spiritual men and women who have their delight in God great peace and inward quiet are found.”

“It is good that we sometimes suffer contradiction, and that we be thought of by others as evil and retched and sinful, though we do well and intend well; such things help us to humility, and mightily defend us from vainglory and pride.”

“He who seeks any other thing in religion than God alone and the salvation of his soul will find nothing there but trouble and sorrow; he will not remain there long in peace and quiet who does not labor to be the least, and subject to all.”

“Blessed are those who have the hour of death ever before their eyes, and who every day prepare themselves to die.”

.

.
Quotable: “Many persons, through a secret love that they have for themselves, work indiscreetly according to their own will and not according to the will of God, yet they do not know it.”

Odds & Ends

The Sin of Hypocrisy:

“What is it that clouds the glory of Christianity, and keeps so great a part of the world in heathenism and infidelity, but this, that among Christians there are so few that are Christians indeed? And those few are so obscured by the multitude of formal trifling hypocrites, that Christianity is measured and judged of by the lives of those that are not Christians?” (Richard Baxter)

“Men are often wont to plead zeal for religion, and for duty, and for the honor of God, as the cause of their indignation, when it is only their own private interest that is concerned and affected” (Jonathan Edwards).

The Grace of Humility:

“It is for littleness of mind that the soul is easily disturbed and put out of repose by the reproaches and ill-treatment of men” (Jonathan Edwards).

“If God is exalted, never mind what becomes of us. We are a set of pygmies; it is all right if He is exalted” (C. H. Spurgeon).

The Nature of Piety:

“God has prescribed for us a way in which he will be glorified by us, namely, piety, which consists in the obedience of his Word. He that exceeds these bounds does not go about to honor God, but rather to dishonor him” (John Calvin).

The Sin of Envy:

“Envy may be defined to be a spirit of dissatisfaction with, and opposition to, the prosperity and happiness of others as compared with our own” (Jonathan Edwards).

The Beauty of Holiness:

“He that has a right and saving acquaintance with divine things, sees the excellency of holiness, and of all the ways of holiness, for he sees the beauty and excellency of God, which consist in his holiness; and, for the same reason, he sees the hatefulness of sin, and of all the ways of sin” (Jonathan Edwards).

“This is the prime way of honoring God. We do not so glorify God by elevated admirations, or eloquent expressions, or pompous services for him, as when we aspire to a conversing with him with unstained spirits, and live to him in living like him” (Stephen Charnock).

The Nature of Repentance:

“If thou hadst true repentance, it hath so far turned thy heart from sin, that thou wouldst not commit it, if it were to do again, though thou hadst all same temptations; and it hath so far turned thy heart to God and holiness, that thou wouldst live a holy life, if it were all to do again, though thou hadst the same temptations as afore against it (because thou has not the same heart)” (Richard Baxter).

The Evil of Pride:

“Do we threaten to revolt unless God puts Himself right with us?”(C. H. Spurgeon)

The Danger of Worldliness:

“If you had got all the world, you would have got nothing after your coffin lid was screwed down but grave dust in your mouth” (C. H. Spurgeon).

“Pleasure, profit, and preferment are the worldling’s trinity” (John Trapp).


Quotable: “If we do not prefer the church to all other objects of our interest, we’re unworthy of being counted among her members” (John Calvin).