I am finishing my sermon series on the Farewell Discourse this Sunday at theWELL. Even though chapter 17 of John isn’t technically in the ‘discourse,’ I’m including it anyway because it is just such a perfect way to lead up to the cross.

As I’m starting to study this week, I am just struck by the fact that hours before Jesus goes to the cross to give his life for the sins of the world, he prays for us. He prays for his disciples who were with him on that eternity changing night, and he prays for those who will follow. So, if you’re a believer in Jesus… He prayed for you!

Here’s what he prayed,

[20] “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, [21] that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. [22] The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, [23] I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. [24] Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. [25] O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. [26] I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:20-26 ESV)

What a gift we have in being able to see into the heart and mind of the savior hours before he dies. There are 2 things that Jesus focuses on in his prayer for us.

  1. That we would be unified. He says it a few different times (v. 21, 22, 23). I guess the unity of believers was pretty important to Jesus. I wonder if he is pleased with how we are doing today?
  2. The second thing he says is that we might know the love of God – that it might be “in us.” In a very deep, life-changing way.

I’m challenged by this prayer. I’m excited to study it more and hopefully, through the Spirit of God, make it come alive for students at theWELL on Sunday night.