Jesus Prays for Disciples

John 17:6-19

Jesus next prays for the disciples the Father has given Him. Notice He identifies them as coming “out of the world”. The word “world” is important in this chapter as we see it used many times. Although we have seen Jesus selecting the disciples earlier in the Gospels, in this passage He identifies the Father as choosing them. Next He reviews their spiritual development and acknowledges that they understand and believe God’s Word. Not only do they understand it, they have faithfully adhered to it.

Then He begins to make requests on their behalf. First He asks the Father to “keep them in Thy name”. I think this is a request for spiritual protection. They will face many trials, tests, and difficulties and will need spiritual strength to get through them. Next He prays for unity for them; “that they may be one, even as we are one”. Unity among these men was critical as they carry out their mission to spread the Gospel. It is equally important to Christians today and Satan loves to create disunity among Christians to negatively impact their testimony.

He also prays that His joy might be made full in them. An attitude of joy is important not only for our own peace but as a testimony to those around us. Others may impact us in many ways, but we control our attitude. We must be careful not to let outside influences rob us of our Christian joy based on our relationship with Christ. Satan tries to make us miserable so that we won’t be a good testimony to others. Jesus next request is that the Father “keep them from the evil one”. He knew Satan would aggressively work in their hearts and minds and that they needed protection.

Jesus then mentions a distinction that we need to keep in mind. We are in the world, but not of the world. We must live in a sin-filled world, but we can distinguish ourselves as Christians by the way we do that. Our priorities and life-style is distinctively different from those who are not Christians.

Finally He asks that the Father “sanctify them in the truth” and reveals for our sake “thy word is truth”. In order to maintain the proper relationship with our heavenly Father, we need to be in the Word daily; reading it, memorizing, it and applying it.

Jesus also prays for us just as He did these men and we will look at those verses next.

Jesus Prays for Himself

John 17:1-5

This chapter is one of my favorites for several reasons. I think it captures the heart of Jesus in a very unique way. It also provides a good pattern for our prayer life and finally Jesus prays specifically for you and I. Notice that He prays for Himself, the apostles He has been disciplining and for all future believers.

Consider the phrase “Glorify Your Son so that the Son may glorify You”. Jesus knows He will shortly face death through the crucifixion and His primary concern is that He will glorify His Father as He goes through that awful time. He also looks forward to the pristine glory He will have with His Father for eternity. He has suffered much during this time on earth, living in the midst of sin, and longs to return to His Father. As I meditate on this phrase I’m reminded that the chief end of man is to glorify God. Paul says in I Cor. 10:31 “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

Notice also in v. 2 that Jesus is aware of the authority and responsibility the Father has given Him. Notice that He has the authority to give eternal life. Five times in this chapter He refers to Christians as those the Father has given Him. Consider the choices He has made for you. He chose the time you would be created and the nation and family into which you would be born. Most importantly, He has chosen you to be one of His children for eternity. What is eternal life? It is the experience of knowing the only true God through His Son in a personal, intimate way which is continuous, dynamic and eternal.

As Jesus prepares to face the end of His earthly life, He also recognizes He has finished the task the Father has given Him. The last component of that task is facing death on the cross, paying the price for our sin so that we may also have eternal life. Because of our sin He assumes even the Father has to forsake Him for a time. Then the Father will raise Him from the grave so that they and we may spend eternity together.

Thank Him for His indescribable gift.

Peace

John 16:33

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

As our Lord closes His teaching time with the disciples, He leaves them with an encouraging word. He has explained to them the secret of having peace in their lives and reminds them that although they may experience difficulties they can take courage because He has overcome the world.

Sometimes when studying the Bible I leave trails. Next to this verse I’ve written Rom. 8:18 where Paul shares “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed in us.” Next to that verse I’ve jotted 8:28; “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” I’ve also referred to II Cor. 11:23-28 which reminds me of all the suffering Paul went through in his life.”

Finally, look at Romans 8:37 which says “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” In the following two verses He exclaims that nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Christians go through as many trials, disappointments, and difficulties as anyone else but we have the ability to face them differently because of the peace we have as children of God. We have an eternal perspective that allows us to see all things differently. We also have a resource that the non-Christian can’t fathom. Paul says in Phil. 4:7 “the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

I pray that God’s peace may prevail in your life.