In chapter 17, Jesus has prayed for himself and for his disciples. In this passage, he prays for all of those who would believe in himthroughout the ages, including us. The unity that believers have with each other is to be so profound that it mimics the unity that God the Father has with God the Son. It is based upon a common belief, and it results in love for one another and a common purpose in glorifying God. This unity is to be so uncommonly unusual and powerful that it causes non-Christians to desire to know Christ. Jesus then prays that believers will be able to see the glory of God. As they see this glory, they will be changed by it, so that they will know God fully and love each other fully.
John 17:11-19
Jesus has finished listing off the reasons why he is praying for the disciples, and he now turns his attention to specific requests for them. He prays for that they will be set apart for the sake of the world.
Jesus’ earthly work is coming to a close, but the work of the disciples has just begun. In order for them to be successful in this work, they must continue to remain in Jesus by remaining in his word. Yet, to the extent that they do so, the rebellious world will surely hate them. They may be tempted to reject Jesus, or make compromises with the world, or to withdraw from the world altogether, but taking any of these options would be sin. If they did any of these things, they would cease to be the witnesses that they need to be.
Jesus prays that the disciples would be set apart for God’s service. Specifically, he is setting them apart as witnesses to a lost world, though this calling will involve unpleasant consequences. Just as he is set apart for pain and suffering, so they shall be also.
John 17:6-11
Jesus has just finished praying for himself; that God the Father would
be glorified through his death. Jesus now turns his attention to his
disciples, and he prays that God would be glorified through them as
well. In this passage, Jesus says that there are four reasons that he
is praying for them.
First, Jesus prays for the disciples because God the Father gave them
to Jesus. He will use this precious gift to bring glory to himself
and the Father. Second, Jesus prays for the disciples because they
know him. Though the disciples did not perfectly understand
everything that Jesus had ever told them at this point in their lives,
they did understand that he was God and man, and that he would save
them. Third, Jesus prays for the disciples because he loved them very
much. It is true that Jesus loves all people, but the love that he
has for his own is a special love. Fourth, Jesus prays for his
disciples because he is about to leave them. They will have to face
temptations and hostility without his physical presence.
John 16:25-33
“Take heart; I have overcome the world.” Though Jesus had not yet
gone to the cross, his victory over sin, death, and the devil was sure
to be won. By dying on the cross, he would win the decisive battle,
such that all opposition to his kingdom would be pointless.
Because Jesus has overcome the world, there would be many blessing for
the disciples and for believers during the new age. They would have a
full knowledge of God, they would experience God’s love as they pray,
and they would be fulfilled through Christ’s accomplishment.
The disciples thought they understood what Jesus was saying. Indeed,
they did understand a great deal, since they were able to say that
Jesus spoke the words of God and was sent by the Father. Yet, Jesus
warned them that they should not be overly optimistic. As he, the
shepherd, was struck down, his sheep would surely be scattered. Yet,
their faith would remain, and would grow much stronger as they
realized that Jesus brings true peace between God and men.
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