Samuel Eyles Pierce on John 17
Thus on the first day of the week, on which he suffered, having entered into Jerusalem in all the triumph, and with the shouts and acclamations of an innumerable retinue, we read certain Greeks requested to see him; that is, to have some private conference with him. Philip told Jesus of it. And Jesus answered them, (i.e. Andrew and Philip) The hour is come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Then he proceeds to speak of his approaching death. Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground, and die, it abideth alone, but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life, shall lose it, and he that hateth his life in this world, shall keep it
unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me: and where I am, there shall also my servant be; if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. Upon this one of his passion pangs of soul travail comes upon him, and he cries out, Now is my soul troubled, and what? shall I say, Father save me from this hour? No, not so. Why? Because for this cause came I unto this hour, Father, glorify thy name. Upon this address, Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore that stood by, some heard the voice more clearly, others more confusedly, and accordingly spoke variously of it. Some said, it thundered; others said, an angel spake to him; Jesus said, this voice came not because of me, but for your sakes, now is the
judgment of this world, now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men, (rather mine) unto me. John xii. 23-32.
Thus also on the Tuesday evening preceding his passion, it is said, Jesus knew that his hour was come, that he should depart out of this world unto the Father. John xiii. 1. And he having pointed out Judas Iscariot as they betrayer, and the devil entering into him upon his receiving the sop, he going out from Christ’s company to Jerusalem upon his departure our Lord, according to John, broke forth, and said, Now is the Son of Man
glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. John xiii. 31, 32. The hour Christ speaks of in the words before us, was that important season, when all the sins of the elect were to meet on Christ. When they were all to be laid by the Father on him, the true antitypical scape-goat, who was to bear them in his own body on the tree.
We have sixthly, the matter of the prayer, Father, glorify thy Son, by supporting him as the mediator and surety to bear up under tremendous weight of sin imputed, and wrath inflicted, and give him success and victory, lead him through with triumph over all. This was agreeable to covenant stipulations, Christ was to be crucified in weakness; this is Paul’s expression. He could only obey and suffer in the human nature. He was the man in God. The man of God’s right hand. The Son of Man, whom the Father made strong for himself, of whom the Father said, I have
laid help upon one that is mighty. To whom he made a glorious promise for the faith and support of this great surety, and of which you have a glorious revelation in the forty-second chapter of the prophet Isaiah, at the fifth verse, the subject of covenant engagements between the Father and Mediator is thus introduced. Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which
cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein. Then the Father addresseth himself unto the Mediator, saying, I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.
Verse 6. As these promises were the foundation of Christ’s faith, so the fulfillment of them is what he here requests, saying, Father the hour is come, glorify thy Son. Eighthly, We have the interest of the Father in what is prayed for, that thy Son also may glorify thee. By fulfilling the whole good pleasure of thy will. Expressing my love to thee in the highest instance. Giving the uttermost demonstration of it. And by magnifying thy law, satisfying thy justice, bringing in everlasting righteousness, putting away of sin—treading upon the head of the old serpent—treading down all the powers of hell— abolishing death —conquering the grave—and saving thine elect in my own person and work, with an everlasting salvation. And then by being raised up from death and the grave, and exalted at thy right hand in the heavenly places, to exercise my mediatorial office and power, according to the good pleasure of thy covenant will, over all flesh, and thereby spread thy glory and honour in the world. This appears to me a just and concise outline of my text. Which I will again recite. 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.
God Loves... Himself 
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