What Jesus Did! 'The Glory of Obedience' — John 17:4-5

Friday, October 23, 2026

[Jesus continued his prayer:] "I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began."
— John 17:4-5 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus did everything his Father told him to do. Imagine, finishing your task at such a young age! But isn't that what Jesus did? So often we don't look on obedience as a way to give God glory. Powerful praise songs in worship seem like a much more exciting way to give God glory. Leading someone to Christ is another example of giving God glory. But let's not forget that in the intentional acts of obedience we offer to God - both the simple things and the hard things, both the everyday ones and the heroic ones - we are bringing God glory! Obedience is worship incarnate, worship coming to life in our flesh. [1] So rather than looking at obedience as a demanding and sometimes harsh thing, let's look at it as the embodiment of glory!

[1] Romans 12:1.

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for sending Jesus to be my example. I know that he was obedient from the heart to all your desires and commands. I sometimes falter and fail in my obedience. Please forgive me. Open my heart to understand that my obeying you brings you glory, and give me the determination to follow through with that obedience. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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6 Related Resources by Heartlight

John 17:4
Devo: Today's Verse
"I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do."
One Before Creation!
Devo: Together in Christ
"[Jesus prayed,] "Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.""
Completing the Work
Illustration of John 17:4
Inspirational illustration of John 17:4 -- "I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do."
Glory!
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Child of God, Glory? Glorious? "Gloria in Excelsis Deo"? It was not too glorious if you look at the place where My birth happened! I was placed..."
See All 6 Related Resources about John 17:4-5

Illustration

Illustration of John 17:4-5 NLT — [Jesus continued his prayer:] "I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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