Three Years That Changed the World – Lesson 19

Understanding the Heart of God

(Jesus in John 17)

Jesus concludes his teaching time (John 13-16) with his disciples. During his time with them in the upper room – Jesus:

1. Washed the disciples’ feet – showing he deeply loved them (John 13:1-12)
2. Ate a final meal with them where he tells them he would be betrayed by one of them (John 13:18-30) and that he was about to die (John 13:31-38)
3. Provided comfort that he would not leave them alone and would send the Holy Spirit to indwell them and teach them everything they needed to know. (John 14)
4. Instructs them to remain in his love (abide in him) and warns them that the world will hate them just as they hated him, but to remain strong. (John 15)
5. Instructs them to not lose hope, because even in anticipation of his death on the cross he boldly declares, “I have overcome the world!” (John 16)

Now Jesus moves to a time of prayer as recorded in John 17. Jesus begins his prayer by looking upwards to where God dwells. When Jesus asks the Father to “glorify your Son” he was asking that the eternal plan of redemption (salvation) be consummated exactly as it had been sovereignly ordained. This prayer by Jesus considers that his death on the cross (though future) was a certainty and would be perfectly accomplished because nothing could prevent the Father’s purposes from being realized. It is also important to understand that only Jesus (who lived a sinless life) could accomplish this work (presenting himself as a sacrifice for sin) that the Father requested him to do. Were it not for the cross, there would be no salvation from sin (for anyone), no hope, and no eternal destiny for anyone other than total separation from God.

This next portion of Jesus’ prayer (John 17:6-19) is primarily focused on the 11 remaining disciples. As Jesus continues his prayer, he will emphasize that it will be their belief, faith and trust that will sustain them, for it won’t be until after the resurrection of Jesus that they will fully grasp why he had to die. Jesus was concerned for his disciples because he knew that the world (those who reject Jesus and the entirety of evil) would be hostile toward them and he already warned them as such. John 16:1-11). Jesus will ask the Father for  their “spiritual protection”, and he also asks the Father to sanctify and purify them as they prepare to preach the truth to the world.

Jesus finishes his prayer by praying for all future believers (John 17:20-26), that they will be united together, in the same way that He is united to the Father.