John 17
is often called “The
High Priestly Prayer” of Jesus. Jesus prayed this right after the Last Supper and before
entering the Garden of Gethsemane.
We are
impressed with Solomon’s prayer (1 Kings 8), Abraham’s prayer (Genesis 18), and Moses’ prayer (Exodus 32), but this prayer is by far the greatest recorded
in the Bible.
It’s one of the most sacred and intimate moments recorded in Scripture — Jesus
praying to the Father before His arrest and crucifixion.
In this prayer, we glimpse His heart — full of love, unity, and intercession
for His disciples and for all who would
one day believe in Him (that includes us!).
1.
Jesus
Prays for Himself (vv. 1–5) “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son,
that your Son may glorify you.”
Glorify Your Son: Jesus prayed first for Himself, but His petition
was not selfish. His concern for Himself was actually a concern for the glory
of the Father. The Son can only glorify the Father if the Father first answers the
prayer of the Son, “Glorify Your Son.”
True glory is not found in power or comfort,
but in obedience and sacrifice that reveals God’s love.
Jesus
knows His time has come to die but, He asks not for escape, but for glory
through the cross — showing the Father’s love and plan of salvation.
2.
Jesus Prays for His Disciples (vv. 6–19) “Holy Father, protect them by the power of
your name.”
Jesus lived out the love and goodness and righteousness and
grace and holiness of God the Father; He manifested God’s name to them. “‘I manifested
Christians are called to live in the world
but not be of it — standing firm in truth and love amid darkness.
- Jesus asks
God to guard the disciples from the evil one, to sanctify them by the
truth, and to keep them united. He doesn’t ask for them to be removed from
the world, but to be strong and holy within it.
2.
Jesus
Prays for All Believers (vv. 20–26) “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also
for those who will believe in me through their message.”
That they all may be one: Jesus envisioned the great multitude before the
throne of God of every nation, race, language, class, and social level (Revelation
7:9-10). Jesus prayed that they might rise above their different
backgrounds and understand their unity; that they may all be as one.
Our unity as believers is meant to be a living
testimony of God’s love. When we love each other, the world sees Jesus. He
prays that the unity among His believers be founded in love.
- This is
Jesus praying for you and me. He desires unity among all believers
— that our love and harmony would show the world who He is.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, thank You for praying for us — for our
protection, unity, and love.
Help us live as one family under Your truth.
Teach us to glorify You in all things, even though hardship.
May Your love in us draw others to You. Amen.
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