"If you were Abraham's children, then you would do ..." (John 8:39-41)

"Abraham is our father," they answered. "If you were Abraham's children," said Jesus, "then you would do what Abraham did. As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the works of your own father." (John 8:39-41)

Are they really arguing over whether Abraham is their father?

Actually, they were referring to Abraham as their lord, not father. It would be silly for them to have been arguing that Abraham was their father. Abraham lived over a thousand years before they were born. Obviously, Abraham wasn't their father.

Oh, but were they using this phrase metaphorically - as if Abraham was the father of their religion? Like a patriarch? This is contradicted by the back and forth between them. Why would they necessarily do what Abraham did if they were the children of Abraham's body?

This supposedly metaphorical reference to father is actually a mistranslation.*

Here the Greek word πατήρ (patēr) is being comparatively used by both the Pharisees and Jesus. According to the Greek lexicon, πατήρ (patēr) can refer to one's direct physical father, an ancestor, a guide or spiritual leader, or the Supreme Being, depending upon its context.

The Pharisees are referring to Abraham as their spiritual leader - not their father as we find in this NIV translation.* In other words, a better translation* would be, "if you were Abraham's followers ..."*

This is the context in which Jesus can say that if they were Abraham's followers, they would do what Abraham did. This is what a follower does: A follower follows in the footsteps of the person they follow.

Jesus is criticizing that position because if the Pharisees were following Abraham, they would be following Abraham’s example. In this case, Jesus clarifies, they would not be persecuting Jesus. Instead, Jesus says the Pharisees are following the ways of their physical fathers, rather than their supposed spiritual leader, Abraham.

If they were following Abraham as their spiritual leader, Jesus indicates, they would follow Abraham's example.

Indeed, we find sectarian translators have doubled down on this notion that the discussion is about children and fathers. In John 8:41, for example, we find the following translation of the Pharisees' statement:

"We are not illegitimate children." (John 8:41)

But here again, we find a gross mistranslation. What does "illegitimate children" have to do with their relationship with Abraham and God? There is no relationship in this context.

Actually, the Greek word translated to "illegitimate children" here is πορνεία (porneia). This word can mean "adultery" or "homosexuality" if used literally. But when used metaphorically, in this context, it means, "of the defilement of idolatry."

This means that the more appropriate translation would relate to their not saying that they worshipped idols - thinking that Jesus is accusing them of idol worship because they honored Abraham.

This interpretation makes sense because after that they say:

"The only Father [Lord] we have is God Himself." (John 8:41)

What did Abraham do?

"Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called upon the Name of the LORD, the Eternal God. And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for a long time." (Gen. 21:33-34)

What does it mean to "call upon the name of the LORD"? It means to praise God's Holy Names, in song or prayer or otherwise. While the praising of God's Holy Names is professed throughout the scriptures, Biblical scholars tend to overlook the importance of this practice. Why? Because they also have not followed Abraham's example. Yet this was the central element of Abraham's life. He was focused on his relationship with God. He praised God's Holy Names. He loved God and he served God.

Next, Jesus describes himself as "a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God" in relation to Abraham. What does this say? This indicates that Jesus is doing what is pleasing to Abraham. He is speaking about God. He is praising God. He is trying to help people remember and focus on God.

Why were they 'determined to kill' Jesus?

It is interesting that Jesus says that the Pharisees are "determined to kill me." This indicates very clearly that the Pharisees felt threatened by Jesus. Why did they feel threatened? Because Jesus was speaking the Truth about God. In contrast, the intent of the Pharisees was to use God (and His representatives like Abraham) to maintain their power and positions of authority.

This is because Jesus had real power and authority. His authority, as he indicates clearly, was not his own, but came from God. "The truth that I heard from God" is a clear statement. It does not indicate that Jesus was God. It clearly indicates that Jesus was God's representative.

Anyone who delivers a message they have heard from someone else is a messenger. Because they are speaking the words of someone else, they are the messenger and thus the representative of that person. Jesus was clearly God's messenger and representative. From his own words, we can know this. And what was Jesus' "first and greatest" instruction?

“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.” (Matt. 22:37-38)

*Here is the translation of these verses according to the Lost Gospels of Jesus:

They replied to him, saying, “Abraham is our lord.” And he replied, “If you are Abraham’s followers, then you should serve Abraham. But as it is, you are seeking to kill me – a man who has spoken the Truth to you, which I have heard from God. Abraham would not do such things. You are serving your own lord.” (John 8:39-41)

"Though you do not know Him, I know Him. ..." (John 8:54-56)

"If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the One who glorifies me. Though you do not know Him, I know Him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His word. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad." (John 8:54-56) 

Why does Jesus say God glorifies him?

As noted previously, being one's father is not the topic of discussion. The discussion was about who their lord is. This is documented with the translation from the original Greek below.*

Furthermore, Jesus is responding to further offensive and accusatory remarks by the institutional temple priests: Among other offensive statements, they said:

"Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that if anyone keeps your word, he will never taste death. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?" (John 8:52-53)

Jesus is answering by telling them that he has a relationship with God. Such a loving relationship effectively glorifies Jesus due to God's glory. With regard to not dying, Jesus referred to the reality that each of us is a spiritual personality, and none of us will die when the physical body dies.

Is Jesus defending himself?

With his response, Jesus again clarifies that he is not representing himself. He is representing the Supreme Being. He is representing the God who these Jews are supposedly worshiping but are not. Rather, Jesus is concurring that he is representing the same God that Abraham worshiped and represented.

When Jesus says that God is “the One who glorifies me” he is speaking of the confidential loving relationship that exists between the loving servant of God and the Supreme Being. As the loving servant of God is dedicated to glorifying God and not himself, God seeks to glorify His loving servant. 

This may not be taking place in view of society or people. It may even be that God might be allowing His messenger t to be ridiculed by people, as Jesus was seemingly in front of these institutional temple officials. But God only does this because He has an ultimate plan, one that far outreaches our puny perspective of things.

As an example, consider whether these institutional temple Pharisees had any concept of just how empowering Jesus' teachings would become, even after 2,000 years? Did they realize that while they were ridiculing Jesus, people 2,000 years later would be ridiculing their short-sightedness? Likely not.

Has the Supreme Being glorified Jesus?

Some 2,000 years later, people are still quoting what Jesus said, and even debating about who he was. Now that is glory.

Why does this happen? The relationship between the Supreme Being and His loving servant runs deep. Because of this relationship, the loving servant is delivering a powerful message from God. 

This message is powerful because it is the Truth. And God's Truth is heavy. Truth is not of this temporary physical world. Truth is spiritual in essence and comes from the Supreme Being.

For this reason, when we truly hear the Truth with humility, we can experience realization. When we hear Truth from God's representative with respect and humility, and we act to please such a representative of God, we realize not just with our ears and minds: We realize with our hearts and our actions. 

As we put the messages of God's messenger into action — and apply them — we begin to experience the relationship that God's loving servant feels for God. That is Truth.

This is the meaning of Jesus' statement above about Abraham. It is not as if there was some magical prophetic prediction of Jesus by Abraham. Certainly Abraham, through his relationship with God may have become aware of Jesus' future appearance, but this is not what Jesus is referring to here.

Jesus is referring to the fact that Jesus knows that what he is doing in his service to God is pleasing to Abraham, because Abraham also loves God, and Abraham is alive in the spiritual world. Jesus knows that Abraham is pleased with Jesus' teachings and the sacrifices Jesus is making to deliver God's message to these wayward Jews.

This is evidenced by Jesus saying, "he saw it and was glad." Why was Abraham glad? Abraham was pleased that Jesus was acting in a way that is pleasing to God.

What about Abraham seeing in the past and being glad?

The interpretation that ἐμήν καὶ εἶδεν καὶ ἐχάρη must refer to Abraham's "seeing" in the past and being "glad" in the past was assumed in the course of translation from Aramaic. In reality, Jesus knows that Abraham is still alive in the spiritual world.

And that is why Abraham can see what Jesus is doing and be glad. It is the translators' lack of faith in the spiritual dimension and their lack of understanding regarding our spiritual nature that produced this inference about Abraham seeing Jesus and being glad thousands of years before.

Consider for a moment Abraham's special relationship with God:

Then the LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just...." (Genesis 18:16-19)

Does this statement ring any bells? “For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD.” This approach to the Supreme Being was also displayed by Jesus:

"My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as You will." (Matt. 26:39)

What is common between God's statement about Abraham and Jesus' statement? Both are intent on doing God's will. They are both focused on doing what pleases God. What does this mean? It means both Abraham and Jesus loved God, just as Jesus and Moses instructed:

“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment." (Matt. 22:37-38 and Deut. 6:4)

We can also see Abraham's focus on worshiping and loving God in this verse:

"Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called upon the Name of the LORD, the Eternal God. And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for a long time." (Gen. 21:33-34)

This verse describing Abraham is consistent with Jesus' statement above. Jesus didn't glorify himself. He glorified God. Just as Abraham did, as we see from the above verse. To "call upon the Name of the Lord, the Eternal God" means to glorify the Supreme Being. And glorifying God and His Name is the means for re-establishing our lost loving relationship with Him.

*Here is the translation of these verses according to the Lost Gospels of Jesus:

Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, I have no glory. My LORD glorifies me – this the One of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ And you have not come to know Him, but I know Him; and if I said I didn’t know Him I would be a liar like you. But I do know Him and I follow His teachings. Your ancestor Abraham exulted about my time, and when he saw it he was pleased.” (John 8:54-56)

"Your brother will rise again." (John 11:23)

When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." (John 11:20-22)

Why did Jesus say Lazarus 'will rise again'?

Jesus is consoling Martha, who is regretting Jesus not being there earlier. Martha is upset that her brother Lazarus died and knows that if Jesus had been there earlier he would have prevented it.

Jesus responds by assuring Martha that she has not lost her brother. And Martha also knows this from Jesus' teachings as she responds:

Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." (John 11:24)

"The last day" is being translated from the Greek phrase, ἐσχάτῃ ἡμέρᾳ. Yes, these two words can literally mean, "last day." But ἐσχάτῃ can mean "the end" as well, and ἡμέρᾳ can mean "a series of days" or "an age" according to Thayer's lexicon.

In other words, Martha is referring to the end of our physical lifetime. This is when the soul will rise at the time of death - at the end of our lifetime in this body.

Martha was responding like this because this is what Jesus had taught her. She was faithfully repeating Jesus' teachings.

 

Why did Martha think God gives Jesus whatever he asks?

Martha's statement is important because it explains the process of Jesus' miracles. "But now I know" indicates that Martha has been a student of Jesus' teachings, and understands the relationship between Jesus and God. She is clear, in other words, about Jesus' role in relation to God.

She is clear that Jesus and the Supreme Being are two independent persons. For Jesus to ask God to bring Lazarus' body back to life (bring his spirit-person back into his body) means that God is ultimately performing the miracle. 

It also means that Jesus is God's subordinate, since Jesus is asking the Supreme Being to do it. This elucidates Jesus' role as God's loving servant.

Martha has not confused the Supreme Being with Jesus, as some of today's teachers have. These teachers are claiming that Jesus is the Supreme Being. This is an abomination of Jesus' teachings and his whole life. It is completely offensive to Jesus, as Jesus stated directly:

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (Matt. 7:21-23)

This statement confirms Martha's statement about Jesus' role and position in relation to God. Jesus is clearly stating that it isn't enough to be extolling and praising Jesus as "Lord, Lord." Even if someone is performing miracles and prophecy in the name of Jesus, Jesus does not accept them. He even says, "I never knew you." and "Away from me, you evildoers!" 

This illustrates clearly that Jesus is offended by those who worship Jesus as though he were God - essentially ignoring the Supreme Being.

Rather, Jesus says clearly that it is "only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" who is pleasing to Jesus, and who "will enter the kingdom of heaven."

This is a very clear statement by Jesus, and it is obvious by the exchange between Martha and Jesus concerning Lazarus that Jesus is pleased with Martha's understanding of Jesus' relationship with God.

Who performed Jesus' miracles then?

Jesus did not perform miracles - God did. This is what Martha, Jesus' follower, is saying. She understood that Jesus did not perform those miracles. This is clearly stated when she says, "God will give you whatever you ask."

She knew that Jesus asked His Beloved Supreme Being to perform them. This is critical when trying to understand who Jesus is:

"I have shown you many great miracles from the Father." (John 10:32)

Jesus was not trying to raise the dead and perform other miracles to prove that he was great. He wasn't trying to earn everyone's respect as God.

Rather, his teachings were about God: Someone Who Jesus loved, and wanted others to love: The Supreme Being.

This is why Martha said: "But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." She knew the Supreme Being would give Jesus whatever he asked of God because Jesus and God had a personal loving relationship. Jesus loved God and served God out of love.

And God reciprocated that love. This is called a relationship, and Jesus was trying to get each of us to also come to that point where we could exchange such a loving relationship with God.

This is why Jesus' most important instruction was:

"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment." (Matt. 22:37-38)

Yet it is also critical to understand why Jesus asked God to perform miracles, and why God indeed did make them happen. We can see why when we see the immediate result of these miracles:

When he [Jesus] came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen (Luke 19:37)

Note that these were Jesus' followers who were praising God as a result of the miracles. And they were acting in a way that was pleasing to Jesus. Why? Because they were glorifying God. 

Why were they praising God in 'loud voices'?

In Luke 19:37 above it says that his disciples were loudly praising God. This means to recant God's names and glories. 

Let's compare this to the recanting we often hear in political assemblies. When the crowd of a political assembly begins praising the politician they usually yell out his or her name very loudly, possibly with a slogan. The crowd might recant, for example, "Billy for congress" (fictitious name) or something, all in unison, and very loudly.

Note that Jesus' disciples also recanted Jesus' name as he walked through Mount Olives to Jerusalem. But they weren't praising Jesus alone as in a political chant. As Jesus stated in Matt. 7:21-23, he would not have been pleased with that.

Rather, the disciples were praising Jesus together with the Supreme Being. They were glorifying God and Jesus' relationship with God. That's why they shouted:

“Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (John 12:13)

"Father, glorify your Name!" (John 12:27-28)

"Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." (John 12:27-28) 

Why does Jesus say his 'soul is troubled'?

This statement by Jesus is coming shortly after his followers were worshiping and praising Jesus as he rode a donkey down from the mount to Jerusalem.

The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the king of Israel!" (John 12:12-13)

Certainly, the word "king" is mistranslated. The word βασιλεύς (basileus) can also mean "leader" or "prince" according to the lexicon. Jesus was certainly not a king. At best he was the spiritual leader of many people - those who followed him of course.

 

So Jesus is a bit troubled because they were praising Jesus as a spiritual leader. He is obviously not comfortable with this. He was not triumphant, as many would be when they are being praised and worshiped.

 

Why is Jesus asking God to glorify His Name?

Jesus sees this “hour”* (better translated to "time") where he is being praised as an opportunity to glorify and praise God. He wants to make sure that God is glorified.

This is one of Jesus' greatest lessons. During his most triumphant time, he is most concerned about making sure God is praised. He doesn't see himself worthy of being praised.  Jesus confirmed this when he said:

"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. (Luke 18:19)

Sadly, glorifying God is the critical component that so many miss about Jesus’ life. Jesus was focused upon his students and disciples glorifying God and glorifying God's Name. This is why he was glorified by his students as he came into Jerusalem with:

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" (John 12:13)

And why Jesus also said:

"For I tell you, you will not see me until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” (Matt. 23:39) 

Glorifying God by glorifying His Name is a central precept of the teachings of the Jesus, as well as the teachings of the Prophets.

These texts illustrate one of Jesus’ most confidential and important teachings: To praise and glorify God and His Names.

In other words, we can see that Jesus was pleased not with being personally glorified, but pleased when his students were glorifying and praising God. This singing and glorifying God is an ancient teaching that has been passed down for thousands of years, and Jesus was echoing this.

The activities of Jesus’ students in glorifying God also indicate this.

Why is glorifying God important? It is a key part of the process of re-developing our own loving relationship with the Supreme Being.

God is not a vague force or light or simply a booming voice. God is a Person. He is the Perfect Person. God is the person we are searching for as we look for our soulmate.

And the reason we look all over for that perfect person in the form of our soulmate is that we have forgotten God, and we lost our natural relationship with Him.

Was this about Jesus being crucified?

Many sectarian teachers have claimed that Jesus is describing the "hour" his body will be crucified.

Yet there is no mention* here about Jesus’ murder in these or the preceding verses. Rather, they describe how Jesus was glorified as he came towards Jerusalem, and then praised and glorified by many who had seen the rising of Lazarus from the dead:

Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him. (John 12:18)

This is confirmed by the Pharisees who were watching all the attention Jesus was getting:

So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!" (John 12:19)

And Jesus mentioned that this was a moment in time when he was to be glorified:

"The hour has come for the son of man to be glorified." (John 12:23)

So the “hour” - actually better translated to "time" from the Greek word ὥρα (hōra) - being referred to has nothing to do with Jesus being brutally murdered. The “hour” refers to a time when Jesus was being praised and glorified by many:

They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"  "Blessed is the king of Israel!" (John 12:13)

The statement preceding (John 12:26) actually illustrates an intimate portrait of the real Jesus. Jesus was not a proud, boisterous person. Jesus was a humble person who saw himself as God’s servant. And this is reflected by various other statements that Jesus had made, such as:

"But He Who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from Him I tell the world." (John 8:26)

and

"The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matt. 23:11-12)

These verses indicate that Jesus saw himself as God’s messenger and loving servant and the servant of others. He was simply not comfortable with all this praise and glorification.

And the verse above (John 12:27-28) illustrates that Jesus’ heart was troubled because he was not comfortable being praised. His purpose was not to become glorified but to glorify God with his life.

Therefore, after stating that his heart was troubled by all this praise, Jesus states that, “what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'?” This indicates that Jesus was struggling with the praise, and asking the Supreme Being to help him deal with it.

Is Jesus relying upon God?

Yes, Jesus was relying on the Supreme Being. He had surrendered himself to God. This was also illustrated when Jesus prayed before his arrest:

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)

This is quite opposite of the relationship that sectarian teachers are teaching we should have with God. They promote that our relationship should consist of asking God to give us stuff and then thanking Him for all the stuff. This focuses our relationship with God around the idea of God being our servant – getting us whatever we want – rather than us being God’s servant.

Jesus, however, did not perceive his relationship with God in this way. He saw himself as God’s servant, and thus, he saw that the situation before him – being praised by so many in Jerusalem – was actually an opportunity to bring attention to his LORD, the Supreme Being.

Therefore, Jesus says:

“No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour [time]*. Father, glorify your Name!" 

Why do we need the Supreme Being?

We were created by God to care for Him and exchange a loving relationship with Him. That is the purpose of our existence. But because God also gave us the freedom to love Him or not, some of us chose not to love Him and were sent here to the physical world to learn lessons of love and consequence.

In doing so, we’ve gotten wrapped up in the false temporary identities of our temporary physical bodies. This has allowed us to effectively forget our eternal natural relationship with the Supreme Being.

Those who wish to return to God are shown the way back. God sends His representative to bring us home. This is Jesus' role. Jesus wanted us to re-develop our natural position of loving God.

This concept of being a servant rather than a master is the key to our identity. As we search for happiness within this physical world we find that we continue to be empty as we try to consume things for ourselves. Even the wealthiest and most famous people feel empty because even though they have everything we dream of, it is not fulfilling.

Yet when we give to someone else – whether it be our time, care or gifts – we find that flicker of happiness. We find that we feel more fulfilled by giving than by receiving – and thus the oft-used quote “'tis better to give than to receive.”

People feel this, especially around the holidays. As a person becomes more mature and has experienced getting all kinds of gifts and other things from others, they soon realize that they feel better when they give to others. And even the wealthiest, most famous people, as they mature, feel more joy when they give to poor people or others in need.

Why do we feel better when we give?

It is because by nature we are servants. We are givers. We care by nature. This is our natural position, because God created us to be His caregivers and the caregivers of each other.

And this is why Jesus wanted us to do God’s will:

"Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother." (Mark 3:35)

This statement by Jesus indicates that he too, sees himself as God’s caregiver (as doing God’s will means being God’s caregiver). This is why he sees peerage among those who are also caring for and serving God.

God, on the other hand, is by nature the Enjoyer. We are His servants and caregivers, and He is the Enjoyer. This means that caring for the Supreme Being gives us fulfillment. This is our natural position, and it is what Jesus is teaching.

A loving servant and caregiver is not the same as a slave. When a person loves another, they naturally care for them and do things that please them. This requires a relationship, and this is what Jesus is trying to teach us. This is reflected by his most important teaching:

"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment." (Matt. 22:37-38)

*Here is the translation of Jesus' statement according to the Lost Gospels of Jesus:

"Now my mind has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Creator, save me from this time?’ But it was for this purpose that I came to this time. LORD, glorify Your Name.” Then came a voice from the heavens: “I have already glorified it and will glorify it again.” (John 12:27-28)

"... so that the Son may bring glory to the Father." (John 14:13-14)

"And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (John 14:13-14)

Why are there differences among the versions?

There is a major difference in the translations between some of the versions regarding John 14:13. The phrase, "so that the Son may bring glory to the Father" was the translation in the 1984 New International Version. It was recently changed to "so that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

This makes the translation consistent with the King James Version. But the New Living Translation version says, "so that the Son can bring glory to the Father."

What is the difference between "the Father may be glorified in the Son" and "the Son can bring glory to the Father"?

The Greek is written in such a way that literally would be "Father will be glorified [ἐν (en)] the Son." And the word ἐν (en) has been translated to "in" in these versions. However, the Greek word ἐν (en) can also mean "by."

Why would they not translate the word ἐν (en) to "by" instead of "in"? After all, who speaks like that?

Let's say for example, that Bobby glorified his Dad. Would anyone in their right mind say, "Dad was glorified in Bobby"? Such a statement is nonsensical. It makes no sense. It completely erases the action that took place when Bobby glorified his Dad.

In the same way, to say that the Father (the Creator, God) will be glorified "in" the Son is nonsensical. It makes no sense. How can someone be glorified inside of someone else?

Because of this translation misstep, the 1984 NIV translation was utilized, as this translation is closer to the literal Greek, which would be "the Father will be glorified by the Son."

To say that the "Son may bring glory to the Father" is another way of saying that the Father will be glorified by the Son.

What about asking for anything in Jesus' name?

Some take this part of Jesus' statement out of context. The context of the audience, circumstance, and surrounding statements is critical.

Some interpret this as Jesus suggesting we can ask him or God for anything - be it wealth, fame, success in one's job or winning a football game. Whatever it is, if we ask in Jesus' name, it will be done.

This teaching diametrically opposes Jesus' teachings. It suggests that Jesus is our servant. As if we are the ruler and Jesus and God are there to serve our every whim. We just order up some wealth or success from them and as long as we ask in Jesus' name it will be delivered to us.

As if God and Jesus are our waiters. They are just waiting on us, waiting for us to ask for something and as soon as we do, they spring into action and get it done for us.

This absolutely contradicts Jesus' teachings that we are God's servants and our natural position is to love God and do God's will. Their interpretation is that God and Jesus are waiting for us to ask them, so they can do our will. This contradicts Jesus' teachings, such as:

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)

What is the meaning of asking in Jesus' name then?

To understand Jesus' statement about asking in Jesus' name, we must understand the circumstance and the audience. Jesus is speaking directly to his closest disciples here, just prior to him being arrested and executed for his teachings. 

Jesus knows his body will be murdered at the hands of the institutional temple priests and the Romans, and he is preparing his students to go out and pass on his teachings to others.

This is evidenced by his prior statement:

"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." (John 14:12)

Jesus says "because I am going to the Father" because he knows he will be leaving his body shortly - when it has been murdered - and will be returning to the spiritual realm to be with God.

He says, "anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing" because what he has "been doing" is teaching about God. He wants his disciples to also teach others about God.

And the reason he says, "he will do even greater things than these" is because his disciples (and his disciples' disciples) will be reaching out to those beyond whom Jesus taught to. They will teach Jesus' message to a wider audience as they disperse and teach to their respective communities.

There are two areas of mistranslation here.

The first relates to "in my name," and the second is "whatever you ask" and "you may ask me for anything."

The phrase "in my name" comes from the Greek phrase ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί. The word "name" is being translated from the Greek word ὄνομα (onoma). While Thayer's lexicon indicates ὄνομα can mean "name," it can also mean "the name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the name, i.e. for one's rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds, etc."

We can also provide evidence from other translations from ὄνομα (onoma) elsewhere in the Gospels. For example, Jesus said:

"Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward." (Matt. 10:41)

Here the combination of εἰς (eis), ὄνομα (onoma) and προφήτης (prophētēs) - which could be translated to "in the name of a prophet" is being translated to "because he is a prophet";

and

"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." (Matt. 10:42)

Here the combination of εἰς eis, ὄνομα onoma and μαθητής (mathētēs) - which could be translated to "in the name of my disciple" is being translated to "because he is my disciple"'

and

"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life." (Matt. 19:29)

Is he saying 'in my name' or 'for my sake'?

In Matt. 19:29, ἐγώ (egō) ὄνομα (onoma), ἕνεκα (heneka) - which could also be translated to "for my name's sake" - is being translated to "for my sake."

Just as in the above verses, the use of "in my name" doesn't make much sense in context. It also twists the meaning of Jesus' statement. The use of "name" here is relating not specifically to Jesus' physical name, but rather, to what Jesus represents. Jesus' mission, in other words.

This is clarified by the next part of his statement, being translated to "so that the Son may bring glory to the Father." While this is not a completely correct translation of the Greek phrase, ἵνα δοξασθῇ ὁ πατὴρ ἐν τῷ υἱῷ, the translation clearly indicates that the supposed phrase "in my name" is attached to Jesus' bringing "glory to the Father." The two cannot be separated. Jesus cannot be separated from his service to God.

We also cannot separate this statement by Jesus from his previous statement mentioned above:

"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." (John 14:12)

What will Jesus do for them?

The bottom line is that Jesus was trying to tell his disciples that because of his devotion to the Supreme Being - because he wants to please the Supreme Being - he will continue to be available to his disciples. Even after he leaves his body, he will be there to help guide them and help them to carry on his message. Such help and guidance would be invoked by calling upon Jesus' name according to this statement.

Jesus wasn't trying to tell his disciples that he would give them "anything" as in fame and fortune or winning football games. The word "anything" is being taken from the Greek root word τις (tis), which means, according to the lexicon, "a certain," or "a certain one." In this context, it means something particular - not an all-inclusive "anything."

Rather, Jesus was trying to communicate that he would be there for them regardless of how difficult the circumstance was, to guide them spiritually. No matter what, he would be there for them, in any circumstance, to help them in their spiritual mission to serve him.

Such a relationship is rich and deep. It is not a superficial, passing relationship. It encompasses humility, commitment and an attitude of servitude. The reason why Jesus called some of his students "disciples" is because they had given their lives to him. They had made a commitment to spend their lives in his service, and thus in the service of God. And after Jesus left his physical body they continued that service, teaching Jesus' teachings in public squares and marketplaces.

What does 'Son' mean?

This concept of Jesus' service to God ("doing God's will" or "bringing glory to the Father") brings us to another mistranslation.

The Greek word being translated to "son" is υἱὸς. The word υἱὸς can be translated to "son" in the context of a physical father-son relationship. But, according to the lexicon, this is only "generally used of the offspring of men" and "in a restricted sense, the male offspring (one born by a father and of a mother)."

The lexicon also states that υἱὸς is "used to describe one who depends on another or is his follower." This indicates that within a spiritual context, the word translates to "dependent follower" or "devotee," rather than to "son." And someone who follows and depends upon another can also be described - when there is love involved - as a "devoted follower" or even a "loving servant."

These alternative definitions are confirmed by the use of υἱὸς elsewhere by Jesus:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons [υἱὸς - servants or followers] of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

and Jesus' teacher, John, said this:

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become sons [υἱὸς - servants or devotees] of God. (John 1:12).

And there are multiple references to "sons of God" among the English Bible translations:

When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them the sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. (Genesis 6:2)

The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown. (Genesis 6:4)

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. (Job 1:6)

Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. (Job 2:1)

When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38:7)

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:14)

For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. (Romans 8:19)

When "servants" or "followers" is used rather than "sons", suddenly all of these statements now make sense. Being a servant of God is consistent with many other statements by Jesus, such as:

"For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." (Matt. 12:50)

and

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matt. 7:21)

These indicate that Jesus is not making a claim to be God's "only begotten son." Such a claim would make God impotent. Is the Supreme Being - who created the entire physical universe with all the solar systems and living beings - only capable of having just one son? That would be an absurd statement.

Rather, as discussed elsewhere, the idea of "only begotten" comes from the Greek word μονογενής (monogenēs), which can mean "only" or "single of its kind" according to the lexicon, but also, according to its use among many ancient Greek texts, to mean "unique," "special," "privileged," or "favorite" as well. When we derive that the relationship being discussed is related to God, we can only conclude that what is being discussed is a special relationship with God. In this case, a "unique," "privileged" or "favorite" relationship.

What this indicates is not an "only begotten son," but rather, a special relationship with God - a dedicated, loving relationship. This would translate to being God's "intimate loving servant," or "intimate representative." (Thayer's lexicon also indicates that υἱὸς can also refer to a representative.) A person who is exchanging a confidential and special loving relationship with the Supreme Being, and one who is representing the Supreme Being.

It is also clear from the Gospels that Jesus did not come in his own name, rather, in God's Name. This is why he said, and then his disciples chanted, as Jesus entered Jerusalem:

"Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord." (Matt. 21:9/39, Mark 11:9, Luke 13:35, John 12:13)

As Jesus states in this statement, he has come to glorify God. Glorifying God also includes glorifying God's Holy Name.

It is easy to mistranslate something that is not understood. Translations often are limited by the knowledge of the translator. In this case, knowing that Jesus has a special intimate loving relationship with God requires being aware of such a relationship. Otherwise, it is difficult to understand what Jesus is getting at as he discusses how his disciples can pass on Jesus' teachings.

If we are serious about accessing that relationship, it will become available to us. Otherwise, it will be hidden from view, which is ultimately why many mistranslations occur. Jesus' purpose was to give us the opportunity to regain our own intimate loving relationship with the Supreme Being, as Jesus clearly taught:

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.” (Matt. 22:37-38)

*Here is the translation of Jesus' statement from the Lost Gospels of Jesus:

Whatever you request in my name, that I will do, so that the Creator will be glorified by His Representative. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it." (John 14:13-14)

"I have brought You glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do." (John 17:4)

What was the 'work' that God gave Jesus to do?

The word "Work" means service. The word "work" here is translated from the Greek word ἔργον (ergon). This, according to Thayer's lexicon, means "business, employment, that which any one is occupied;" and "that which one undertakes to do, enterprise, undertaking."

To work on behalf of someone else is to serve them. It means doing not what we want to do, but what someone else wants us to do. This is the difference between working and going on vacation. A person who is working is doing something that someone else wants them to do. If they did what they wanted to do, that would not be work.

The 'work' that Jesus was doing on behalf of God was teaching. Jesus was teaching his followers - and all of us - about the Supreme Being. He was teaching us how to love God.

Jesus is stating clearly that he was working on behalf of God in this effort. He was serving God. This means that his position was one of servant: Jesus is God's loving servant.

The difference between service and loving service is that loving service is done without any hopes for compensation or other return. If a person is expecting a return on their service that is not loving service - that is business.

Jesus was doing his service to God out of love. He was God's perfect loving servant. So while he was teaching us how to love God, he was also loving God. He was showing us how to do it, in order to save us.

How did Jesus bring God 'glory on earth'?

"I have brought You glory on earth" is a clear testament that Jesus' purpose was to bring those who received his teachings closer to God. This included glorifying the Supreme Being.

There are two purposes for glorifying someone: 

1) To bring attention to the person - to make others aware of that person's position and identity. This means, for those who do not know the person, introducing the person to others. 

2) To praise and honor that person - in words and deeds. 

This means that Jesus was introducing his students to the Supreme Being, and he was outwardly praising God. This is the mission of Jesus that many sectarian teachings have succeeded in almost completely ignoring. 

Today we find the teachers of many sectarian institutions focusing upon: 

1) Threatening people with hell if they don't follow them and join their organizations. 

2) Stating that Jesus' purpose on earth was to die for our sins. 

3) Promising that all we have to do is accept that Jesus died for our sins and we are saved. 

This derangement of Jesus' life and purpose completely ignores the very sum and substance of Jesus' purpose - to introduce us to God, to praise and glorify God, and love and serve God. Jesus himself clarifies this: 

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (Matt. 7:21-23) 

Jesus states clearly that while these preachers may proclaim so many miracles and even drive out demons - if they are not serving God (doing "the will of my Father") then Jesus doesn't want any part of them. Only those who serve God ("does the will of my Father") are being accepted here by Jesus.

Why did Jesus teach that glorifying God is important?

Jesus brought glory to God by praising Him. That is what he is doing when he taught his followers to pray:

“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name..." (Matt. 6:9)

Jesus' followers also recognized that Jesus praised God and glorified His Names:

Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord!" (Mark 11:9)

Jesus was identified as someone "who comes in the Name of the Lord" because Jesus was preaching the glorification of God's Holy Names. Glorifying God was a major part of the teachings of the Prophets and teachers that came before Jesus:

At that time men [of the earth] began to call on the Name of the LORD. (Genesis 4:26)

From there he [Abraham] went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the Name of the LORD. (Genesis 12:8)

...and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the Name of the LORD. (Genesis 13:4)

Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called upon the Name of the LORD, the Eternal God. (Genesis 21:33)

Isaac built an altar there and called on the Name of the LORD. There he pitched his tent, and there his servants dug a well. (Genesis 26:25)

“You shall not misuse the Name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His Name.” (Exodus 20:7)

“You shall not misuse the Name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His Name.” (Deuteronomy 5:11)

“...he may minister in the Name of the LORD his God like all his fellow Levites who serve there in the presence of the LORD.” (Deuteronomy 18:7)

“If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of Him.” (Deuteronomy 18:22)

“The priests, the sons of Levi, shall step forward, for the LORD your God has chosen them to minister and to pronounce blessings in the Name of the LORD and to decide all cases of dispute and assault.” (Deuteronomy 21:5)

“Then all the peoples on earth will see that You are called by the Name of the LORD, and they will revere You.” (Deuteronomy 28:10)

“I will proclaim the Name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!” (Deuteronomy 32:3)

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the Name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” (1 Samuel 17:45)

Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the Name of the LORD, saying, ‘The LORD is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town. (1 Samuel 20:42)

He and all his men set out from Baalah of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, the Name of the LORD Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on the ark. (2 Samuel 6:2)

After he had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the Name of the LORD Almighty. (2 Samuel 6:18)

The people, however, were still sacrificing at the high places, because a temple had not yet been built for the Name of the LORD. (1 Kings 3:2)

“You know that because of the wars waged against my father David from all sides, he could not build a temple for the Name of the LORD his God until the LORD put his enemies under His feet.” (1 Kings 5:3)

“I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the LORD my God, as the LORD told my father David, when He said, ‘Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place will build the temple for My Name.’” (1 Kings 5:5)

“My father David had it in his heart to build a temple for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.” (1 Kings 8:17)

“The LORD has kept the promise he made: I have succeeded David my father and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the LORD promised, and I have built the temple for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.” (1 Kings 8:20)

When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relation to the Name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions. (1 Kings 10:1)

Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the Name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire – He is God.” Then all the people said, “What you say is good.” (1 Kings 18:24)

With the stones he built an altar in the Name of the LORD, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed. (1 Kings 18:32)

The king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the Name of the LORD?” (1 Kings 22:16)

He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the Name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths. (2 Kings 2:24)

But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the Name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:11)

“Sing to the LORD! Give praise to the LORD! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked.” (Jeremiah 20:13)

After David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the Name of the LORD. (1 Chronicles 16:2)

So David went up in obedience to the word that Gad had spoken in the Name of the LORD. (1 Chronicles 21:19)

David said to Solomon: “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God.” (1 Chronicles 22:7)

“Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the LORD.” (1 Chronicles 22:19)

Solomon gave orders to build a temple for the Name of the LORD and a royal palace for himself. (2 Chronicles 2:1)

“Now I am about to build a temple for the Name of the LORD my God and to dedicate it to Him for burning fragrant incense before Him, for setting out the consecrated bread regularly, and for making burnt offerings every morning and evening and on Sabbaths and New Moons and at the appointed feasts of the LORD our God. This is a lasting ordinance for Israel.” (2 Chronicles 2:4)

“My father David had it in his heart to build a temple for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.” (2 Chronicles 6:7)

“The LORD has kept the promise he made. I have succeeded David my father and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the LORD promised, and I have built the temple for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.” (2 Chronicles 6:10)

The king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the Name of the LORD?” (2 Chronicles 18:15)

The other events of Manasseh’s reign, including his prayer to his God and the words the seers spoke to him in the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel, are written in the annals of the kings of Israel. (2 Chronicles 33:18)

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the Name of the LORD be praised.” (Job 1:21)

“I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the Name of the LORD Most High.” (Psalm 7:17)

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the Name of the LORD our God.” (Psalm 20:7)

“The nations will revere the Name of the LORD, all the kings of the earth will revere Your glory.” (Psalm 102:15)

“So the Name of the LORD will be declared in Zion and His praise in Jerusalem.” (Psalm 102:21)

“Praise the LORD. Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the Name of the LORD.” (Psalm 113:1)

“Let the Name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 113:2)

“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the Name of the LORD is to be praised.” (Psalm 113:3)

“Then I called on the Name of the LORD: “O LORD, save me!” (Psalm 116:4)

“I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the Name of the LORD.” (Psalm 116:13)

“I will sacrifice a thank offering to You and call on the Name of the LORD.” (Psalm 116:17)

“That is where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, to praise the Name of the LORD according to the statute given to Israel.” (Psalm 122:4)

“Our help is in the Name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 124:8)

“May those who pass by not say, “The blessing of the LORD be upon you; we bless you in the Name of the LORD.”“ (Psalm 129:8)

“Praise the LORD. Praise the Name of the LORD; praise Him, you servants of the LORD” (Psalm 135:1)

“Let them praise the Name of the LORD, for He commanded and they were created.” (Psalm 148:5)

“Let them praise the Name of the LORD, for His Name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.” (Psalm 148:13)

“The Name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)

“At that time gifts will be brought to the LORD Almighty from a people tall and smooth-skinned, from a people feared far and wide, an aggressive nation of strange speech, whose land is divided by rivers – the gifts will be brought to Mount Zion, the place of the Name of the LORD Almighty.” (Isaiah 18:7)

“Therefore in the east give glory to the LORD; exalt the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea.” (Isaiah 24:15)

“Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the Name of the LORD and rely on his God.” (Isaiah 50:10)

“And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve Him, to love the Name of the LORD, and to worship Him...” (Isaiah 56:6)

“From the west, men will revere the Name of the LORD, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere His glory.” (Isaiah 59:19)

“At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the LORD, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the Name of the LORD. No longer will they follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts.” (Jeremiah 3:17)

Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, “This man should not be sentenced to death! He has spoken to us in the Name of the LORD our God.” (Jeremiah 26:16)

Now Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath Jearim was another man who prophesied in the Name of the LORD (Jeremiah 26:20)

“You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the Name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed.” (Joel 2:26)

“And everyone who calls on the Name of the LORD will be saved” (Joel 2:32)

“...we will walk in the Name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.” (Micah 4:5)

“He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the Name of the LORD his God.” (Micah 5:4)

“Then will I purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the Name of the LORD and serve him shoulder to shoulder.” (Zephaniah 3:9)

“But I will leave within you the meek and humble, who trust in the Name of the LORD.” (Zephaniah 3:12)

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matthew 21:9)

“‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” (Matthew 23:39)

“Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:9)

“‘Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.’” (Luke 13:35)

“Blessed is the king who comes in the Name of the Lord!” (Luke 19:38)

“Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord!” (John 12:13)

“And everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:21)

So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the Name of the Lord. (Acts 9:28)

“Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who confesses the Name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”” (2 Timothy 2:19)

“Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the Name of the Lord.” (James 5:10)

“Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

Can glorifying God save us?

Many preach that Jesus died for our sins - we just have to accept it and we are saved. Is this really true?

Jesus' physical body was persecuted by those who did not believe his teachings about God. They did not want to glorify God nor did they want to hear God be glorified. They wanted to do away with Jesus and snuff out his teachings because they wanted to ignore God. So they killed his physical body.

But the real person of Jesus left them. He left behind that physical body and returned to God's kingdom:

Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46)

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. (Matt. 27:50)

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:30)

Then he [a criminal who was crucified next to Jesus] said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43)

Thus we know from these statements that only Jesus' physical body died. The person of Jesus - his spirit-person - left his body and returned to the spiritual realm.

This means that Jesus did not die, so how could he have died for our sins?

Some preachers like to focus upon Jesus dying for our sins because their ministry is focused upon gaining followers, and in order to gain followers they promise an easy solution to the prospect of going to hell. This means they are attracting followers using a scare tactic.

After they get everyone scared, they offer their solution - that we can just accept that Jesus died for our sins and we are miraculously saved. Wow, that is easy!

However, this doesn't require any sort of change of heart. It is a self-centered prospect - believing that Jesus died for my sins so I won't have to suffer the consequences of my self-centeredness.

If Jesus died so we don't have to suffer the consequences of our self-centered activities (sin) then why do those who commit crimes still go to jail despite whether they belong to a church or have been baptized? Is not a crime sin? And is not jail time the consequence of that sin?

Jesus did not die to relieve self-centered people from consequences. The Supreme Being designed the physical world for us to learn through consequences. And every self-centered action (sin) - good or bad - has a consequence.

A person who wants to "finish the work" given to them as Jesus states here is obviously a servant. Such a person is completing a mission given to them by someone else. That means Jesus is God's servant.

And to understand Jesus' life as God's loving servant, and to understand that his loving service was so complete that he will willing to suffer physically on behalf of that service - can save a person.

A person who comes to understand Jesus' mission and position as God's loving servant may have a change of heart - should they follow Jesus' teachings.

What is that change of heart? To want to truly know and love God, and truly want to serve God. This is the change of heart that Jesus was seeking his students to have. 

How can a person change their heart and learn to love God? The process that Jesus gives is confirmed in his statement. Glorifying God has the ability to gradually change our hearts - which will ultimately save us.

"I have revealed You to those whom You gave me ..." (John 17:6)

"I have revealed You to those whom You gave me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to me and they have obeyed Your word." (John 17:6)

Whose Name is he referring to?

Jesus is continuing his prayer to the Supreme Being. The first phrase of this verse is ἐφανέρωσά σου τὸ ὄνομα. The first word, φανερόω (phaneroō) means "to make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown" and "to make known by teaching" according to the lexicon.

The key word in the next part of this phrase (σου τὸ ὄνομα) is ὄνομα (onoma). This word specifically means "name."

If we translated this phrase σου τὸ ὄνομα literally it would convert to "you the name."

While the more language-friendly translation might be "your name" we must not ignore the literal translation here. The fact is, Jesus is clearly glorifying God's Name in his prayer.

Why is this important? First, we must ask why the translators of the New International Version, and several other versions - including the New Living Translation and others - translated "your name" out of this verse?

Even the King James Version includes this:

"I have manifested Thy Name unto the men which Thou gavest me out of the world: Thine they were, and Thou gavest them me; and they have kept Thy word."

The reality is that sectarian translators and interpreters - even those who read from the King James and other versions that contain the correct translation - have ignored the importance of God's Names and the emphasis that Jesus put upon the need for us to praise God's Name in order to reconnect with God.

Did Jesus praise God's Name?

Jesus spoke of God's Name quite frequently. Consider these statements by Jesus:

"Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may Your Name be kept holy [Hallowed be Your Name]" (Matt. 6:9)

"For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, 'Blessings on the one who comes in the Name of the LORD!'" (Matt. 23:39)

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." (Matt. 28:19)

"For I have come to you in my Father's name, and you have rejected me. Yet if others come in their own name, you gladly welcome them." (John 5:43)

Jesus replied, "I have already told you, and you don't believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father's Name." (John 10:25)

They shouted, "Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the Name of the LORD!" (John 12:13)

"Father, bring glory to Your Name." Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, "I have already brought glory to My Name, and I will do so again." (John 12:28)

"Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me Your Name; now protect them by the power of Your Name so that they will be united just as we are." (John 17:11)

"During my time here, I protected them by the power of the Name You gave me." (John 17:12)

"And I have declared unto them Thy Name, and will declare it" (John 17:26 - KJV - again mistranslated in NIV)

These quotes by Jesus indicate clearly the importance Jesus put upon God's Names.

And we cannot forget that as a crowd of Jesus students acclaimed Jesus in a procession as he entered Jerusalem:

Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, "Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the Name of the LORD!" (Mark 11:9)

As we see here in the translation of the New International Version and others, as well as many sectarian teachings, we find that the assumption is that Jesus is referring to God's Name as a reference used when a person says something like "I will do this in your name" when they mean they will do something on behalf of another person. In this use of the language, to say "in your name" is equivalent to "for you."

However, this is not the context that Jesus is using. We can see this in Jesus' other statements. Consider the clear statement, later in Jesus' prayer, "During my time here, I protected them by the power of the Name You gave me;" as well as: "protect them by the power of Your Name" The use of "power of Your Name" indicates that Jesus was specifically detailing that God's Names had a special potency.

Did Jesus glorify God's Names elsewhere?

We can see that Jesus gave special importance to glorifying God's Name. Jesus emphasized praising God's Name in the prayer he suggested, often referred to as the "Lord's Prayer:"

"Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name" (Matt. 6:9)

This means he specifically instructed his students to praise God's Name. The word "hallowed" specifically means to venerate or glorify.

We also see that Jesus' activities also prompted his students and those around him to praise God's Names. There are many statements like this to be found in the New Testament:

Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. (Luke 18:43)

This blind man near Jericho "followed Jesus" as he praised God. This indicated that praising God was part of following Jesus. Praising God was inseparable from following Jesus, and Jesus' activities prompted people to praise God's Names.

Now this teaching of the importance of God's Names is not an isolated or contrived teaching. The power and potency of praising, calling and reciting God's Names is taught throughout the Bible.

Why do so many sectarian institutions not follow Jesus' and the rest of the prophets' teachings regarding the importance of praising God's Names? Sure, many institutions will sing hymns about Jesus in church, and there is nothing wrong with that. But most of these are focused on Jesus. They are not following Jesus' prime teaching to focus our attention on the Supreme Being, and praise His Names.

Why is God's Name important?

When we approach anyone what is the first thing we do? We say their name. "Hi Bob," we might say. If we don't know their name, we will ask them their name, we will say, "my name is ___, what is your name?"

Why is a person's name so important? It communicates our commitment to honoring them. By saying someone's name, we honor them. We respect them.

This respect and honor are extended to God when we glorify His Name. By praising God's Name with sincerity, humility, and trust, we are invoking God's personal authority.

God's Name goes even further. The physical world is a place of duality - that is, we are not our names. This is evidenced by the fact that a person can change their name and still be the same person.

But the spiritual realm is different. In the spiritual realm there is no duality. In the spiritual realm, God's Name is inseparable from God's person. There is unity between God and His Name. There is unity between anything that references or symbolizes God personally and Himself.

In other words, God's Names are His personal manifestation within the physical world.

Singing or otherwise repeating God's Names is ridiculously easy. At any time, place, and circumstance we can glorify His Names:

We can pick a song and repeat them.

We can repeat them while we breathe deep and meditate.

We can repeat them while we take a walk in the woods or on the beach. 

We can repeat them while we shower.

We can repeat them while we are falling asleep.

We can repeat them while we are waiting in line.

Or while we are driving.

There are no hard and fast rules for praising God's Names.

We can also pick one or multiple Names of God according to our faith or preference. These include God, Jehovah, Abba, Yahweh, Jah, Eloi, Great Spirit, Creator, Supreme Being, and many others from many different languages and faiths around the world. All of these Names honor the one Supreme Being that loves each of us.

We can see by Jesus' statement that Jesus' main purpose for his appearance was to promote the praising and repeating of God's Names.

Why are we not with God now?

People challenge God all the time - "if you exist, appear before me" - and then He seemingly doesn't appear. And some will then say, "He must not exist then."

Many seek to see God - but for most of us, our physical eyes cannot "see" God. Yet God appears within the physical realm through His Name.

Why is this? Why can't the Supreme Being appear to our physical eyes - just appear before us and walk around with us?

This is not His choice. God would gladly walk with us and be seen at any time if we really wanted to see Him.

It is us who have chosen not to see God. We do not want to really see God. We do not want to be with God.

The reality is that He is the Supreme Being - the Creator, Owner and Controller of all that exists. Therefore, being seen is still ultimately His choice. It is not that we can spy on God.

But God will manifest Himself for those who truly seek Him. We make that choice, but ultimately, God makes the choice of whether He will manifest Himself.

Therefore, in order to see Him we would need to also be prepared to accept that God is the Supreme Being. That God is ultimately our Master. That God is Superior to us and will always be superior to us.

The problem is that we don't want anyone to be superior to us. This is why we all act like we are superior to others: We want to be superior. We think we know it all. We think we are the boss. We think that we are in charge.

We don't want to feel that someone else is superior to us. We don't want to feel that someone knows more than us. We don't want someone to be the boss of me - and we can do nothing about it.

In other words, we do not want to surrender ourselves to God. We don't want to be in our natural role of God's servant. We want others to serve us. We want to be master.

This is our disease, and this is why we are here in the physical world in the first place. This is why we were given temporary physical bodies that are not equipped to see God - because we do not want to see God. We want to escape from God. We want to ignore God.

Even many who claim to be religious still want to be in charge. This is easily seen by the content of our prayers.

Some like to pray like this:

"God, give me this" - "God, give me that" - "God, make me rich" - "God, don't let my father die" - "God, make me win" - and so forth.

This is putting God into the role of servant. We order things up from Him, and He fetches it for us. In other words, when we supposedly become religious, we think that God exists specifically to do our bidding. He gets stuff for us and makes us famous and wealthy and makes us a winner.

This is simply a mirage. God is no one's servant. God is the Supreme Controller and the Supreme Being. We are His servants. This is why Jesus was so emphatic about serving God:

"For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'" (Matt. 4:10)

"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Luke 16:13)

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matt. 7:21)

"For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." (Matt. 12:50)

What does doing the will of someone mean?

To do someone's will means to serve them. But we don't want to do someone else's will. We want to do our own will, and we want God to do our will. This is why those who consider themselves religious will so often ask God for stuff. We want God to do our will.

This is why we don't see the Supreme Being in our daily lives. We don't see Him because seeing Him is seeing Him for who He really is: Our Master, Best Friend, Beloved.

But even if we don't see Him we can still invoke His Names. He has provided us with this means of contact because by invoking God's Names we are able to gradually purify our consciousness through contact with Him. We are able to slowly and gradually change our consciousness from being all about us to being about Him.

Then Jesus states that "They were Yours; You gave them to me." This indicates that Jesus sees himself in the role of servant and representative of God. Those students that Jesus taught belong to God - Jesus does not claim authority over them. But he acknowledges that the Supreme Being authorized Jesus to represent God and God's teachings to these students.

We might compare this to a teacher at an elementary school who recognizes that the school that hired them to teach has allowed - "given" - the teacher the authority to teach to that particular classroom of students. The students didn't just appear magically in the classroom. The school assigned the students to the class that the teacher was teaching. This would, in a practical way, mean the teacher was given the students, and given the authority to teach them.

He follows that by praising those students before God - acknowledging his students that have heard and followed Jesus' teachings.

We can thus know from this that Jesus understood his position as God's servant. He understands that the authority he had was given to Him and the ability to help others was given by God, whom He loved and cherished.


*Here is the translation of this verse from Jesus' prayer from the Lost Gospels of Jesus:

"I have revealed Your Name to the people You have entrusted to Me from the material world: They were Yours and You entrusted them to me, and they have followed Your Teachings.” (John 17:6)

"I protected them and kept them safe by that Name You gave ..." (John 17:12)

"While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that Name You gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled." (John 17:12) 

How did Jesus keep them 'safe'?

Jesus is continuing his prayer to the Supreme Being. He is discussing his students - as indicated from previous verses such as indicated clearly with this statement:

"For I gave them the words [teachings] You gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent me." (John 17:8)

Those who accepted Jesus' teachings would be none other than Jesus' followers and students. And the fact that Jesus is stating they knew Jesus was sent by God is clear about Jesus' identity.

Now Jesus is stating that during the time Jesus "was with them" - pointing to that period when Jesus was physically present with his students - that he "protected them and kept them safe."

But how did Jesus protect his disciples and keep them safe?

This indicates that Jesus did not take personal credit for the means by which he protected and kept safe his disciples. He indicates that the means by which he was able to protect and keep his disciples safe was "by that Name."

This clarifies one of the key teachings of Jesus virtually ignored by sectarian institutions today: The power of praising God's Names.

"That Name" confirms Jesus previous statement:

"Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your Name" (John 17:11)

Yes, the power of glorifying God's Name - praising God - has been taught throughout the scriptures, yet is virtually forgotten by sects that claim they are following those texts. (See link above to read the significant evidence throughout the Bible regarding this teaching.)

The fact that this teaching - of praising God's Names - was a basic tenet of Jesus' teachings is also confirmed with those verses quoted in that link. But one statement more than any other provides direct evidence that Jesus was teaching his students to glorify God's Name:

“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name..." (Matt. 6:9)

To "hallow" something is to praise or glorify it. Thus we can see that Jesus was directly instructing his students to glorify God's Name in prayer.

The teaching of glorifying God's Names in congregations is also clarified in other statements, as shown in the link above.

And Jesus here is stating that by glorifying God's Name one is "protected" and "kept safe." From what?

Jesus clarifies this in the next sentence, with the Greek word ἀπόλλυμι (apollymi). This is being translated here to "lost."

What does he mean by being 'lost'?

Just consider the word itself:

A person who is "lost" does not know where their home is. They do not know their direction or where their home is. Just consider a child roaming around during a large fair. We might take the child to the security station and have them announce to the crowd that they have a "lost child." The child is considered lost because they can't find their parents and they don't know their way home.

So we can clearly define that a person who is lost doesn't know where their home is, and thus they have no understanding of their proper direction in life.

This is precisely the situation for most of us in the physical world. We are lost here in the physical world. We don't know where our true home is. And we don't know what direction to take.

Furthermore, we don't even know who we are.

In such a state we find ourselves spending our entire lives searching. What do we search for?

We search for the right place to live. For this reason, we are constantly moving. We are constantly looking for that place to live where we are happy.

We also search for the right mate, because our mate - and family - is connected with our home. For this reason, we spend much of our lives looking for the right mate to have a family with. Some of us spend many years looking for someone to love who will love us in return. Many will eventually settle down with someone but then many will also break up or divorce later. So it wasn't our mate after all. And even if we end up with a long-term relationship, at some point someone will die and leave the other.

The bottom line is that none of the relationships we find here in this world are perfect, nor are they permanent.

We also search for ourselves. At some point or another many of us will come to a time when we want to "find myself." What does "find myself" mean? It means we are lost. We do not know who we are.

Knowing who we are also means knowing where our home is. It also includes knowing who our mate is.

Let's use an example. Let's say that a small child is captured by wolves and raised by wolves in the forest with no human contact. For many years the boy will identify himself as a wolf - perhaps a little different, but still a wolf nonetheless.

Then the boy wants to find a mate. What does he do? He finds a she-wolf to hang out with.

Now most of us will grimace to such a thought because we feel that a boy is best suited to be with a human girl than a she-wolf.

Why? Because as we identify the boy as human, we feel the boy should hang with other humans.

What are we made of?

This relates to our composition. What are we composed of? Are we matter? The science indicates that we are not these physical bodies. These physical bodies are our temporary vehicles. We are driving our physical body much as a person drives a car.

Thus in order to know who we are and who we should love we need to know who we are beneath these physical bodies. And it is this very fact that so many of us will need to "find myself." If we were these physical bodies why would we need to "find myself?"

Yes, inside ourselves we know we are deeper than these temporary physical bodies. We are in fact spirit-persons. We are of the spiritual realm. And our form - our identity - is spiritual, not physical.

And those of us who do not know our spiritual form - our spiritual identity - is officially "lost." Because we don't know who we are, or where our home is.

How can God's Name keep us from being 'lost'?

Jesus says God's Name can protect us. How can God's Name "protect us" and "keep us" from becoming lost?

In the physical world, there is duality - we are not these bodies, we are not our names, we are not our hands or our feet.

But in the spiritual realm - a reference to God is nondifferent from God Himself. God's Hands are nondifferent from God. God's Names are nondifferent from God. They are all part of God and are thus maintain His spiritual potency.

So when we sincerely glorify God's Name we come into contact with God Himself. He is present within His Name.

And this presence gradually allows us - as we are ready - to come to know Him and re-establish our loving relationship with Him.

This allows us to understand who we are - our spiritual identity.

And should we keep God's Names close to us - repeating and glorifying them often - they will protect us from falling further into the abyss of being "lost" within the physical world.

A person who becomes "lost" in the physical world loses their direction and forgets their identity: They become lost as to their true purpose. This state is typically accompanied by an emptiness, which we try to fill up with the various material things or people of this world. This self-centered approach to life produces the various forms of suffering we see all around us.

Who is 'doomed to destruction' according to Jesus?

"None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled."

Here the phrase υἱὸς τῆς ἀπωλείας - literally the "follower of destruction" has been interpreted as being Judas - who reports Jesus' whereabouts to the High Priest who has Jesus arrested.

Judas is being assumed here because of the last phrase, ἵνα ἡ γραφὴ πληρωθῇ. πληρόω (plēroō) refers to fulfillment or completion, while γραφή (graphē) translates to something written, or scripture in this case.

This means that this "one" who is becoming "lost" and "doomed to destruction" is actually necessary for something that is consistent with Scripture.

This doesn't necessarily mean that Jesus is referring to Judas. Another potential candidate is the Chief Priest Caiaphus, who ordered Jesus' arrest and then set up the assembly who cried out for his crucifixion in front of Pilate.

This person, who was supposed to be the leader of the temple system throughout Judea, condemned one of its most admired rabbis. Yes, Jesus was also a rabbi, as confirmed in many verses. He also taught in synagogues. Yet this supposed spiritual leader had Jesus arrested and persecuted, utilizing his political power with the Roman leaders such as Pilate.

Judas, on the other hand, followed Jesus' instruction to arrange the arrest. This is confirmed by Jesus as he spoke to Judas at the last supper:

So Jesus told him, "What you are about to do, do quickly." (John 13:27)

Did God arrange Jesus' crucifixion?

Does this mean that Judas' reporting on Jesus' whereabouts in exchange for some silver was approved by the Supreme Being? Did God arrange everything so that Jesus would be murdered?

It is certainly true that everything moves within God's ultimate control. We are never outside the realm of the Supreme Being's control.

Yet the Supreme Being specifically arranged this physical world to give us the freedom to be independent of Him. He gave us the freedom to make our own decisions. Even when it comes to God's representative such as Jesus.

Because love of God requires the freedom to love God or not, each of us has the ability to reject God and reject His representative.

And this has been taking place for centuries, as God's Prophets have been persecuted and murdered by various institutions. This is what has been written in the Scriptures that Jesus refers to. Over and over we find Prophets such as Elijah, Uriah, Jeremiah, Zechariah, Hanani, Amos, John the Baptist and of course, Jesus.

The reality that people can reject God is ordained in the Scriptures. Here we find these and so many others who taught the Truth who were persecuted. This includes James and Peter, Jesus' own disciples, and likely also John.

God has arranged this physical world in such a way that we can ignore God. But this doesn't mean that He is not here - present within the background of the physical world. But it does mean that we - the spiritual realm from which the physical world was formed.

We might compare this to a movie theater. Those who go to the movies at the theater can sit within the darkness of the theater and become immersed within the movie. But this immersion does not remove the fact that the theater itself is owned by someone and the movies are being shown from a projector room by a person who works for the theater owner.

A moviegoer might think we are on some faraway spaceship or a distant planet as we watch the movie. None of that interferes with the ownership of the theater or the existence of the theater. For two hours, an audience of moviegoers might forget they are in a theater as they watch the movie. But as soon as the movie is over, the illusion is turned off. The audience must return to the awareness of reality outside the theater.

This is why everyone quickly heads for the exits once a movie is over.

In the same way, we might be "lost" in this temporary illusion that we are these bodies and the world around us is ours. We might think we own our house, our car, our kids, and spouse. But like the movie at the theater, this is all a temporary illusion. The spouse and kids were all playing temporary roles, just like the actors in the movie.

We own nothing. God owns it all and He is allowing us to pretend for a while because we wanted to be independent of God.

Our constitutional position is one of God's loving servants. We were created to serve God and give God enjoyment. That is our true identity. This is why we all feel better when we give than when we receive: We are not enjoyers by nature - we are servants by nature.

God is the true enjoyer and our joy comes from loving Him and caring for Him.

And of course, God also has joy as He loves us. But He never wants to force us to love Him. This is why He sends us His representative like Jesus and allows us to reject him.

Why does He sent His representative then? Because He wants to give us the other side of the choice. He wants to give us the choice to love Him and be with Him.

This is the beautiful nature of the Supreme Being.

God is our true mate: He is the Soul Mate we've been looking for our entire physical lives. He is the missing part of our lives that we have forgotten.

This is why Jesus' most important instruction was:

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment." (Matt. 22:37-38)

*Here is the translation of this part of Jesus' prayer from the Lost Gospels of Jesus:

"While I was with them, I kept them in Your Name, which You have entrusted to me. And I protected them and not one of them were lost except the servant of destruction, in order to execute the Scriptures.” (John 17:12)