Kneeling as a Calvinist

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.
(John 17:1-2 ESV)


A few years ago I was reading a book from J.I. Packer, I think it was called, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God. I was reminded of something in that book this morning as I am reading Jesus' prayer in John 17. Packer said that there are no Armenians on their knees. All people, on their knees are Calvinists. Really, the very fact that a person prays to God at all in regards to another individual's salvation, gives evidence they believe God is Sovereign.

How about Jesus on his knees? Does he believe God is sovereign over salvation, or does he believe that people choose on their own free will?

Looking back up at the text. Notice God has authority over all flesh. Notice that God gave this authority to Jesus. Notice that this would mean that God made Jesus King. Notice Jesus gives eternal life (salvation) to every person God gives him. Jesus has authority to secure salvation to everyone that God gives him. Notice this is a particular group of people, a group "given him."

Jesus goes on in his prayer in verse 9 to tell the Father, "I am praying for them, I am not praying for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours."


And as such encouragement to me, Jesus says in verse 20, "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,"


This is you and me. If you are a Christian this morning, or if someday, God opens your eyes to believe upon Jesus, it is because Jesus prayed for you. Jesus' prayers are always 100 percent effective.

Do you see that their are two categories of people Jesus is praying about; people in the world, and people who either did believe in Jesus day, and who will believe through the teachings of the Bible. God is sovereign to give Jesus the second group, Jesus is sovereign to keep those individuals. God is sovereign over the first group as well. Which group are you in?