Day 3
John 17:20-26
20"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21that 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. 22The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23I 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. 24Father, 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. 25O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26I 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."
Jesus Prays for Us (John 17:20-26)
Jesus' emphasis is now on future believers: 'those who will believe in me through [the disciples'] word' (verse 20). It is worth noting that a change is taking place. Jesus moves from talking about 'them' (that is the original band of 'disciples') and he starts to refer to 'those' who will believe. As he looks ahead to the church he mentions three things:
The unity of the future church (verses 20-23)
The final unity of seeing Father, Son and church reflecting the glory of heaven will only be enjoyed in eternity when God permanently establishes his kingdom for ever. This doesn't mean that we need to leave working for unity until we get to heaven, but it does mean that we shoudn't accept a spurious uniformity in place of the real thing.
Looking forward to the glory of Jesus (verse 24)
Future believers are now referred to as those 'whom you have given me' and we are now told that one day they will see the glory that the Father has given to Jesus. As we have noticed, John often uses the word 'glory' to speak of lowly service, but this time the word is used in its accepted sense of splendour and majesty.
Looking back in love (verses 25-26)
This high-priestly prayer is brought to a conclusion not with a request, but with a lingering look back over the time the disciples have been with Jesus. He calls the Father, 'righteous Father', a form of address that is only found here in the New Testament. Jesus says he has made this Father 'known to' the disciples and that he will continue to do so. We can presume that this will be done through the future work of the Holy Spirit. Then this extraordinary prayer is brought to an end with a reminder that it is only as Jesus abides in his people that they will know the love of God. There is no ways that this love can be separated from the presence of Christ.
Think: In what ways is Jesus' prayer helpful as you think about your personal discipleship?
