Jesus’ prayer in John 17 reveals the very heart of Jesus’ person and ministry. The following story of his trial and death reveals an eyewitness account.

A Review of Michael E. Cannon, Jr’s The Prayer of Jesus: An Expository and Analytical Commentary on John 17, Resource Publications, Eugene, OR, November 2010 and The Trials and Passion of Christ: An Expository and Analytical Commentary on John 18 and 19, Resource Publications, Eugene, OR, February 2011

When considering the topic of Jesus and prayer, it is typical to consider the so-called “Lord’s Prayer.” After all, that was the prayer Jesus taught directly to his disciples. However, there is another prayer given by our Savior, a prayer that reveals that very heart of Jesus’ person and ministry. This is the prayer recorded for us in the 17th chapter of John’s Gospel, known as the Lord’s “High Priestly Prayer.”

Michael E. Cannon, pastor of Cliffwood Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Augusta, Ga., has written “An Expository and Analytical Commentary” on this passage, aiding the reader to tread on sacred ground as we are privy to a personal, intimate conversation between the Son and the Father.

Cannon’s work, appropriately titled The Prayer of Jesus, is more than a “how to manual.” Instead, Cannon guides his readers through an in-depth analysis of the structure and content of Jesus’ words. As detailed as Cannon gets, however, he still manages to keep it almost pastoral, with the intent of building up the body of Christ by taking comfort in the message of this prayer.

Jesus’ prayer is set in its proper context. Jesus is in his last night on earth, just moments before his betrayal and coming death on the cross. Just a few hours earlier he had celebrated the Passover with his disciples, had instructed them to become a servant to others, and had even identified his betrayer. Yet, even with the reality of his death drawing nearer, Jesus never lost the opportunity to serve his disciples by teaching them one last time (John 14-16). Cannon places his exposition and analysis of John 17 within the proper parameter. Not only had Jesus taught his disciples again, Jesus also wasted no prospect to pray.

Cannon calls this prayer a victorious prayer. The cross, as agonizing as it would be for Jesus, was the means not only to defeat Satan, sin and death, but to bring glory (‘glory’ and ‘glorified’ are used at least 9 times in this prayer) to his Father. Cannon invites us to be moved by Jesus’ request to do all things, even death on the cross, for the sake of God’s glory.

After laying this foundation, Cannon takes small passages from Jesus’ prayer, places them within the proper position of Jesus’ prayer (either Jesus’ prayer for himself (vs.1-5), his disciples (vs.5-19), or for all future believers (vs.19-26), and then exposits in such a way that not only is the truth of Jesus’ High Priestly prayer brought forth, but the reader “will come to know the heart of the Savior” as Cannon hopes. Read each chapter as a sermon or as a devotional, and you will be blessed and moved by the love Jesus expressed for his Father, for his disciples, and for all who call upon his name.

In his follow-up volume, The Trials and Passion of Christ, Cannon continues his exploration of the redemptive work of Jesus as recorded in John 18-19. Written in the same manner as his coverage of John 17, the reader is again made to feel as if he or she were an eyewitness to the proceedings of Jesus’ trial before both the Jews and the Romans.

I found Cannon’s treatment of the motivations of prominent men involved in Jesus’ arrest and subsequent trials to be particularly insightful. What led Judas to betray Jesus? Was it simply for the money? Did he think that Jesus would escape once caught, thus proving his divine nature? The person of Annas, the recently deposed High Priest, is examined as well. The reader will find Cannon’s brief summary of the history of this man’s household an enlightening picture into the corruption that power and misplaced religious zeal can bring, not just to an individual, but to an entire family. Even Pilate’s political motivations are detailed, furthering the complexity of all involved.

The book finishes with a thorough treatment of the meaning of the cross. The pain, suffering and shame of the crucifixion are stressed, along with the victory Christ achieved. Jesus’ last words are analyzed, leaving the reader with a greater understanding of the purpose of Christ’s death by crucifixion, of his victory over sin and death, and of his amazing love shown to all of his people.

Pastors, students and laymen will all profit from Michael Cannon’s two books. Both books are stand-alone, but it will be hard for the reader to be satisfied with only one. Read them, grow from them, and humbly come before your King, the Suffering Servant who prayed and died so that all who call out to him in faith might have true life.

Matt Holst teaches high school Biblical Studies and History at Evangelical Academy in Colorado Springs. He is a graduate of New Geneva Seminary and a pastoral intern at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Falcon, Colo.