Imagine being part of an intimate moment where someone you deeply respect is praying for you. In John 17, Jesus does just that, lifting His voice to the Father in a profound prayer that touches on unity, purpose, and eternal life.
The Reading: John 17
World English Bible1 Jesus said these things, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you;
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2 even as you gave him authority over all flesh, so he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him.
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3 This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
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4 I glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you have given me to do.
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5 Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed.
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6 I revealed your name to the people whom you have given me out of the world. They were yours, and you have given them to me. They have kept your word.
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7 Now they have known that all things whatever you have given me are from you,
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8 for the words which you have given me I have given to them, and they received them, and knew for sure that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me.
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9 I pray for them. I don’t pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.
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10 All things that are mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.
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11 I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are.
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12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name. Those whom you have given me I have kept. None of them is lost, except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
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13 But now I come to you, and I say these things in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves.
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14 I have given them your word. The world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
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15 I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one.
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16 They are not of the world even as I am not of the world.
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17 Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.
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18 As you sent me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world.
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19 For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.
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20 Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who will believe in me through their word,
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21 that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me.
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22 The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one;
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23 I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me.
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24 Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory, which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world.
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25 Righteous Father, the world hasn’t known you, but I knew you; and these knew that you sent me.
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26 I made known to them your name, and will make it known; that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
What This Chapter Is Really Saying
Jesus' Prayer to the Father
In John 17, Jesus lifts His eyes to heaven and begins a heartfelt prayer, recognizing that His time on earth is nearing its end. He asks the Father to glorify Him, so that He can in turn glorify God. It's a beautiful, almost familial exchange that highlights their close relationship.
The Gift of Eternal Life
He makes an important statement about eternal life, declaring that it's about knowing the one true God and Jesus Christ, whom God sent. Jesus reflects on His mission, stating that He has completed the work God gave Him and has revealed God's name to His followers.
A Prayer for His Disciples
As He prays for His disciples, He emphasizes their special relationship with God. They have received His teachings and believed in Him. Jesus asks the Father to protect them, highlighting their need for unity and strength as they face a world that doesn't always accept them. His desire for them is to be one, just as He and the Father are one.
A Broader Vision
But this prayer isn't just for those immediate followers; Jesus extends it to all who will come to believe because of their message. He longs for unity among all believers, showing that this oneness is essential for the world to recognize and believe in God's love through Him. It's an invitation to live in a way that reflects this divine connection.
The Core of His Message
In the closing verses, Jesus emphasizes that love is central to His mission. He wants His followers to share in the love that the Father has for Him. It's a powerful reminder of the relational aspect of faith and the importance of community among believers.
Why It Matters
The Importance of Prayer
John 17 teaches us about the power of prayer. Just as Jesus took time to pray for His disciples, we are encouraged to pray for one another, fostering a sense of community and support.
Unity Among Believers
Jesus' plea for unity is a profound lesson for the Church today. In a world often divided by differences, His call is for believers to come together, reflecting God's love and truth. This unity can act as a powerful testament to those who do not yet believe.
Knowing God
Eternal life is described as knowing God and Jesus. This invitation encourages us to pursue a deeper relationship with God, going beyond mere knowledge to a transformative experience. It's about living in a way that reflects our understanding of His love and purpose.
Finding a Church Community
If you're looking to deepen your faith and connect with others on this journey, consider using Sancta to find a church near you. Engaging with a community can enhance your spiritual growth and provide support on your path.
Embracing Love
Finally, Jesus' emphasis on love reminds us that our faith should lead us to care for one another. It's through love that we can witness to the world, embodying the very principles that Jesus taught.
Coming Up Next: John 18
In the next part of our journey through John, we'll dive into John 18 where Jesus faces betrayal and arrest, leading to profound moments of trial and reflection. Don't miss it!