John 17:20-26
Today's Passage: John 17:20-26
In today's verses, we see the scope of Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer expand as he prays for those who will believe. Christ looked ahead, seeing the image of all who would know, rejoice, and glorify His name. This prayer reveals God’s will and desire for believers. This is not a distant prayer but a present prayer that Jesus prayed for the first century church, the second century church, AND the twenty-first century church.
So, what did Jesus pray for His people?
Jesus prayed for you the night before he was arrested and he thought of you while he was crucified. Jesus’ desire is that you will know Him, glorify Him, and tell others of Him. What is your next step of obedience today? How are you praying in light of how Jesus prayed for you?
Written By: Paulette Black
In today's verses, we see the scope of Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer expand as he prays for those who will believe. Christ looked ahead, seeing the image of all who would know, rejoice, and glorify His name. This prayer reveals God’s will and desire for believers. This is not a distant prayer but a present prayer that Jesus prayed for the first century church, the second century church, AND the twenty-first century church.
So, what did Jesus pray for His people?
1. Jesus prayed for oneness.
Jesus describes a oneness of all believers, a unity that is intended to reflect the unity of the Trinity. Jesus also describes an abiding oneness, that we would have oneness with Him. The oneness that Jesus is praying for has a distinct purpose, “So that the world may believe that you (the Father) have sent me (the Son, Jesus).”
2. Jesus prayed for justification.
In verse 22, Jesus states, “I have given them the glory that you gave me.” Have. Given. Past. Tense. Through Christ, and only through Christ, are we glorified. When we turn from our sin and believe in Christ we are invited in and extended glory that we do not deserve. Complete unity is found in being reconciled to the Father and in turn being united with others.
3. Jesus prayed for an alignment of wills.
“I want those you have given me to be with me where I am.” Jesus is not “convincing” the Father to allow believers into heaven. Jesus is verbally expressing God’s will. In light of Christ’s prayer, we should respond in prayer - praying that this would also be our desire. That God would tether our hearts to His and that we will desire the better country that awaits us where Christ is.
4. Jesus prayed for continual obedience.
Every step that Jesus took was a step of obedience, but the world still did not know the Father and the world did not know the overflowing, holy, perfect love of the Trinitarian God. The world could not know and Christ could not abide in His creation without His obedience. The greatest act of Christ’s obedience is seen in His obedience to the Cross. Christ is praying this prayer looking to His death, but even in the shadow of death, He sees the goodness and mercy that will follow the excruciating steps to the cross. He sees the triumphant steps that He will take out of the grave, and He sees the steps that the ones he created and love will take to follow Him.
Jesus prayed for you the night before he was arrested and he thought of you while he was crucified. Jesus’ desire is that you will know Him, glorify Him, and tell others of Him. What is your next step of obedience today? How are you praying in light of how Jesus prayed for you?
Written By: Paulette Black
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