John 17:1. Jesus lifted up His eyes to heaven.
These words furnish matter for wonder and instruction, part of which I desire to set before you in the following remarks.
What a wonderful attitude for Jesus.
As God, His throne is from everlasting to everlasting.
He was in the flesh on earth among men.
He was distinguished as the Man of sorrows.
At the same time He was looking down from the throne of God.
He saw an infinite distance between Himself and the highest creatures.
At the same time He was looking up from the lowest depth of humiliation.
What a distance He looked across.
He was then in the position of one under the curse.
He was looking to His place in heaven as He was God.
He knew what lay between Him and death.
He knew what He had to suffer at the hands of the high priest and rulers.
He knew what He would suffer through the weakness of His disciples.
He knew what He would suffer from divine wrath and the assaults of hell.
Sin caused all His Humiliation.
Believer, only through Him could you have been brought nigh to God.
Think of Him as kinsman and surety for your redemption.
Think of Him as God opening the way at such a cost.
How certain was an answer to His appeal to His Father.
It was on the ground of His finished work.
Think of His divine glory before the Father’s face.
Think of His Example.
Believer, you should imitate Him in looking to heaven.
Do not try to be independent, when He was a supplicant.
You can adopt His plea.
You can intercede in His name, as well as according to His example.
Do not fear repulse when you plead in the name of Jesus.
Application.
What a rebuke to those who do not follow His example!
This is a tribute to the desirableness of heaven.
Do not be so foolish as to say, I can do without prayer.
1Preached in Dingwall, on 3 September 1882, and edited.