Rev. Dr. Craig L. Nessan
On the eve of his passion and death, we overhear Jesus praying. In his High Priestly Prayer, Jesus prays for the disciples—that they might be one, so that the world may believe (17:20-21). In John’s Gospel, the cross is the hour of glorification for the Son of Man (13:31). Lifted up on the cross, all are saved merely by looking upon the Crucified One. This is the simplest and most glorious of atonement images. “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever looks on him may have eternal life” (3:14-15). We are saved simply by looking upon the Cross.
“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (1:29)! Already John the Baptist announced the relation between seeing and salvation. Jesus is the Paschal Lamb whose sacrifice finished the world’s salvation (19:30). Yet the world still does not know the glory of God’s Love. Jesus prays for witnesses to the Love made known by God through the Passion of the Son. Jesus prays that the Love that binds together heaven and earth might dwell in us. Jesus prays for God’s name to be made known in us. Jesus prays that the Love binding Father and the Son together might dwell and be made known through us. As we listen to the prayer of Jesus, we ask: How can this Love be made known in us?
