“When Jesus had spoken these words, He lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son that the Son may glorify You, since You have given Him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” 

John 17:1-3 (ESV)

This Was Jesus’ Hour

The hour that gave eternal life.
The hour of knowing God and Jesus. 
The hour that paid the price of sin.
The hour of freedom from sin.
The hour of forgiveness.
The hour of redemption.

The hour of resurrection.
The hour of victory over death.
The hour that glorified God.
The hour that glorified Jesus.
The hour of Jesus in all His authority.
The hour of unity with God and man.
The hour of eternal life.

Jesus entered the world to bring the greatest gift ever – eternal life.

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Knowing what the next few hours held for Him, Jesus prayed to the Father. Before Him, were the betrayal, the illegal trials, the slaps, the spitting, the mocking, the scourging, the nails pounding into His hands and feet, the sins laid upon the Perfect Sacrifice, the Passover Lamb, the wrath upon those sins. The release of His Spirit, the tomb, and the resurrection after three days.

As He prayed about His hour, Jesus turned His thoughts to His disciples and you and me. 

“As You sent Me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.” 

John 17:18-21 (ESV)

For the joy of being one with you and me, Jesus endured the cross. On the cross, He took your sins and my sins upon Himself. He paid the price that you and I owe for our sins—death and separation from His Father. He poured out His life’s blood. Forgiveness dripped from the cross.  

Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead. 
The victorious King of Kings conquered death.

Lord, we cannot imagine the suffering of Jesus. He gave His all for us. Jesus, thank You for freeing us from our sins and conquering death. What joy, what peace, what freedom You have given us! Thank you. Amen.

Reflections

1. Prayerfully read John 17. What does the chapter tell you about God? About Jesus?
2. Have you accepted Jesus’ forgiveness? Do you know Him as your Savior? If you would like to accept Him as your Savior, please read the next devotion.
3. Throughout your day, prayerfully remember Jesus praying for you as He faced the cross and how the cross is a part of the Christmas story.

How does the cross shape your preparations for Christmas?

Featured Photo: Heinrich Hofmann, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Christ_in_Gethsemane.jpg