Martin Luther
Gospel Standard Trust Publications
Hardback
157 pages
In Christ's high priestly prayer the veil is drawn aside and we are privileged to look into the human soul of Christ as he wrestles in prayer with God the Father. But besided the reality of Christ's human nature, here in John 17 we also witness the truth of his divine nature as he speaks to the Father as one with him. Only the co-eternal and co-equal Son could use the authoritative language of verse 24: "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovest me before the foundation of the world."

In his exposition Martin Luther speaks of how in the powerful words of this prayer we see the mystery and wonder of Christ, the two distinct natures, human and divine, in the one glorious Person of Emmanuel. As the great High Priest and only Mediator, how fitted he is to stand between God and men, and by his prevailing intercession make the sinner's prayer acceptable.