The seventeenth chapter of the Gospel of Saint John is, by far, my favorite chapter in the New Testament. My grandson, Simon, and I used to listen to it while driving in the car. I was certain he would memorize it. The reason I love it so is…
context, context, context…
I am not going to go into full detail; however, in order to fully understand Jesus’ last week we must remember that the Jewish calendar is different than the one we use – if you are interested in knowing the actual way it was spend some time over here.
Back to John 17! By now…
- The early, annual Passover meal had been prepared and shared in the upper room.
- Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet. (John 13.3-17)
- Jesus had identified His betrayer. (John 13.18-29)
- The betrayer had left the 12 to go do his dirty deed – it was night. (John 13.30)
- Jesus gives the New Commandment to the 11. (John 13.31-35)
- Jesus predicts Peter’s denial. (John 13.36-38)
- Jesus gives one of His best sermons. (John 14)
- Jesus promises “another Helper.” (John 14.15-18)
- Now, Jesus and His eleven begin their walk to Gethsemane.
- As they walk through a vineyard, Jesus gently touches the new spring growth….I am the True Vine and My Father is the Vinedresser. (John 15.1-8)
- He calls the eleven His “friends.” (John 15.14)
- He warns the eleven [and us] that the world will hate you and reject you. (John 15.18-27 and 16.1-4)
- He shares with them the power and comfort of the Holy Spirit, The Helper, that is soon to come. (John 16.5-15)
- Jesus assures His eleven very confused followers that their sorrow will turn to joy and He Himself has overcome the world. (John 16.16-33)
Then…in true intercessory position, with authority, Jesus lifted His eyes to heaven and said…
Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.
“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sake I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17)
And, when Jesus had spoken these words, He went with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered…
Selah.
xo
Thank you, Bible Gateway!
Linked up with all the lovelies in the sidebar!
I just love this post as preparation for Good Friday. In studying Hebrews, I have come back to this chapter in order to really understand Jesus heart as our Advocate and Great High Priest. We were on His mind even in the midst of His suffering.
Michele, you must check out the website I linked to…so interesting.
This is a great account of that those last days that seemed to have been filled with such importance words and actions. This chapter alone is so full! Thanks for sharing that and this most personal prayer our Savior prayed. Wonderful post, Susan.
It’s such a powerful prayer, Debby!
Thank you for sharing this story of the last days. Great detail and easy to follow and understand.
Thank you, Debbie. I love simple and I’m glad you didn’t mind all the words!!!
Interesting! I never really thought about the exact timing–thank you for the link :). It’s so comforting to know that Jesus prayed for ME in advance!
Anita, I tend to be OCD about timing.
Such a great post, Susan! I love John 17, as well.That Jesus prayed for you and me two millennia ago, that He was thinking of those of us who weren’t even born yet in the midst of His own. Hard moments leaves me in awe. And U love that He prayed that we would be with Him where He is.Not in darkness, but in His light, in His place of hope, in becoming more like who He is.
Thank you for sharing this, and for the reminder of how much Jesus loves us.
I hope your Easter is joy-filled, Susan!
Jeanne, I’m so glad to find a fellow/sister lover of John 17!
Good preparation for Good Friday. Strangely, I’ve never really paid close attention to John 17! I tend to skim it and think, “Yes, I’ve read this before.” Crazy, huh? Your post encourages me to dig deeper into what’s there. Thanks so much.
Oh Betsy, DIG DEEP, sister!!!!
Yes and amen, Susan.
‘Glorify Your Son, Lord!’ For He is risen indeed!
Easter blessings to you, to yours …
Linda, yes and amen. xo
Thank you for your words today. This week always causes me to look deeply into myself and why Jesus did what He did for all of us. I almost feel like I am holding my breath until Easter. I learn so much every year by walking slowly and reflectively through this week. Easter blessings!
OOOH…love that Mary, “almost feel like I am holding my breath until Easter.” ME TOO!
Such great prayer! I am glad He still intercedes for His Church.
Many thanks for sharing Susan, have a super blessed day!
Love
Ugochi, so nice to see you here. 😉
Great post friend! Context, context, context…always makes me smile and cringe at the same time. We got told that many times throughout seminary. I learned a lot from your post today. Thanks!
I taught the ordained minister something? WOO HOO. Well, God did. 😉
Oh my friend… yes! John 17… just YES!!!
Yup, nothing else needs to be said. The Intercessor, our Savior!
What a great summary that beautifully paints the context for the powerful prayer of John 17. How amazing that our God has such a deep heart for relationship with us.
How deep the Father’s LOVE for us….thanks for coming over Ginger.
Susan thank you for sharing this post. I am reading it on holy Thursday morning and it has enriched and deepened the Easter week experience for me.
Ali, my grandma Emily prayed for her grandgirls (sister & I) and then our children every day: “Keep them from the evil one and sanctify them with Your Truth.”
Such goodness, Susan! I’m so glad you shared all this and now have me reflecting on Jesus with a fresh perspective as Easter approaches. Thanks for linking up at #ThreeWordWednesday too.
Then the post achieved what God intended!!! xo Kristin…
Such a powerful and beautiful chapter. I, too, have loved this and knew that He was praying for me even then. I love Jesus so very much. Thank you for sharing this with us/me today. Perfect for this week, too.
So full of HOPE!
Great post this week Sue. Means more I think than other weeks. Thanks for sharing. Happy Easter to you n the family. He WILL be risen!
HE IS RISEN INDEED!
Thanks, friend, for the great context – I forget those details. I think I’m ADD something. And they help – so I prayed this for me and those I love today and praise Him for how He looked out for those then and us, now. Blessings and BTW, I signed up for She speaks and have never been to that part of the country – will we have coffee??
Amen!
No greater words in scripture. The out-of-the-world good news is that EVERY prayer our Savior prayed was/is being answered. We are His and He is keeping us that we may, because of Him, be in the glory with Him. It still, after 50 years, amazes me. Glory.
I think we will always be amazed!
Thank you, Susan, for this post. I love reading John because you know that he loved Jesus so deeply. I love that he was able to sit at the Lord’s feet and soak it all in and then inspire us to s the same. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Sitting Among Friends. We are a weekly linkup and we are open Wednesdays. I look forward to seeing you again next week!
Jaime, I will definitely be joining you on Wednesdays!