It's a phrase that, at first glance, might sound a bit abstract, even a little otherworldly: "the glory I had with you before the world began." This is the heart of John 17:5, a verse spoken by Jesus in what's often called his "High Priestly Prayer." When you look at how different translations render it – from the NIV's "glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began" to the CEV's "give me back the glory I had with you before the world was created" – the core idea remains remarkably consistent.
What does this 'glory' actually refer to? It's not about earthly fame or accolades. Instead, it points to something far more profound: the inherent, divine radiance and intimate communion Jesus shared with the Father from all eternity. Think of it as a perfect, unbroken relationship, a state of being where the Son was fully known and fully expressed in the presence of the Father, before anything in creation even existed.
Jesus is praying this as he faces his imminent suffering and crucifixion. He's not asking for a return to some past comfort, but for a restoration of that essential, divine unity and honor in the Father's presence. It's a declaration of his pre-existent divine nature, a reminder of his unique relationship with God the Father that transcends time and space.
This verse is a cornerstone for understanding the divinity of Christ. It asserts that Jesus wasn't just a man who lived a remarkable life; he existed as divine glory with God before the universe was formed. It’s a powerful statement of his eternal nature and his deep, unbreakable connection to the Father. When Jesus asks to be glorified, he's asking to be revealed in that eternal, divine splendor, a splendor that was always his, even as he walked among us in human form.
