THE BOOK OF JOHN, Chapter 17, The High Priestly Prayer, The Disciples in the World, Disciples Future Glory

 

THE BOOK OF JOHN, Chapter 17

The High Priestly Prayer, The Disciples in the World, Disciples Future Glory

If ever there were mystery in the Bible, this chapter and these Words of Jesus would rank highly as the greatest of Mustérion – something made known only because God reveals it.

Jesus refers to God’s glory eight times in these twenty-six verses;  He mentions that God gave Him these disciples out of the world three times; He repeatedly prays and reminds us that He is not of this world and now we do not belong to this world; He is One with God and that we are One with Him, therefore we are now One with them so the world will know and glorify Him.

Now the question is “what does all of this mean to us and for us? And what does this have to do with us?” It may be greater than we think.

The High Priestly Prayer

John 17:1, Jesus spoke these things; and raising His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, so that the Son may glorify You, verse 2, just as You gave Him authority over all mankind, so that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.

(Commentary Break): Jesus’ own family, at one point came to take Him home, saying they believed He has lost His senses and the scribes were saying Jesus was possessed by the devil (Luke 3:7-22).. I can only imagine what these same people would have thought if they had heard Him praying this prayer. Jesus is claiming to be in unity with God. He is claiming to have authority over all humankind and the authority to give eternal life. What would you have thought? What do you think now? What does this mean to you and for you? (End Commentary Break).

Verse 3. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. Verse 4. I glorified You on the earth by accomplishing the work which You have given Me to do. Verse 5. And now You, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world existed.

(Commentary Break): Now Jesus defines and explains the meaning of eternal life: “That they may know (ginóskó) You, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom You have sent”. It is important to understand the meaning of the word “know” (from the Greek word ginóskó) in this case. It is the most intimate and closely held spiritual, mental and personal relationships. It is to be so thoroughly familiar with as to be infilled by that you self-identify with that person. Jesus is saying, “He is in you and you are in Him” and you will become indistinguishable from Him”. It is on this occasion that “you will ask Him anything and He will do it” (see John 14:12-14). And on another occasion, “If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you will and it shall be done for you”. (John 15:7)

And in regards to the Works of God (which He has now accomplished), when He said, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe (pisteuó – a confident expectation) in Him whom He has sent.” (see John6:28).

Please note that in both of these instances, it not first about an act or a deed but it is about a Person or “Persons”. The Person and Persons of the Godhead. Eternal life is about knowing (ginosko) Him. Doing the works of God is about believing (pisteuó) in Him!

How can this be? It is because by knowing and believing Him in this way, you become His doulos, a voluntary bond-slave or servant – It is then that He can do His works through you as you “remain in and believe Him”. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 6. “I have revealed Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have followed Your word.

(Commentary Break): Verse six reveals that God has chosen these men ahead of time, just as He will choose all that will believe in and on Him (Unconditionally and irresistibly). If He has called you and you have responded, then proceed with full confidence that He will accomplish the very thing He has begun in you. You will indeed “follow His Word”. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 7. Now they have come to know that everything which You have given Me is from You; verse 8, for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me.

(Commentary Break): These verses outline the characteristics of a true believer in Christ – a true Christian. (1). They have come to know that everything in Jesus is from God the Father – so it must be with us. (2). We know, possess and speak His Words. (3). We truly understand that Jesus has come from The Father and believe – without doubt – that God the Father has sent Jesus. This is our commitment as Christians, to know about Jesus, to actually know Him and that He is from the Father and to know His Words. It may take time, but it is an essential. Anything less is telling. (And if anyone thinks this is too ‘legalistic’, then you don’t truly know Him). ( (End Commentary Break).

Verse 9. I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on the behalf of those whom You have given Me, because they are Yours; verse 10, and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them. Verse 11. I am no longer going to be in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, so that they may be one just as We are. Verse 12. While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name, which You have given Me; and I guarded them, and not one of them perished except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.

The Disciples in the World

Verse 13. But now I am coming to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. Verse 14. 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. Verse 15. I am not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them away from the evil one. Verse 16. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Verse 17. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. Verse 18. Just as You sent Me into the world, I also sent them into the world. Verse 19. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, so that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.

(Commentary Break): The words of Jesus, in this prayer, are prophetic in nature. He is not only stating the truth, He is proclaiming what forever shall be – we belong to God, we are kept by God, we are One with God, we are kept safe from judgment in Him. We can take comfort in this even in times of tribulation, tests and trials. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 20. “I am not asking on behalf of these alone, but also for those who believe in Me through their word, verse 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 sent Me.

Disciples’ Future Glory

Verse 22. The glory which You have given Me I also have given to them, so that they may be one, just as We are one; verse 23, I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and You loved them, just as You loved Me. Verse 24. Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

Verse 25. “Righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; verse 26, and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

(Commentary Break): This is the unity of the Body as the Church. Just like the Godhead is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit – One God in three Persons – we are many people but we are to be one as the Body of Christ. Philippians 2:2 encourages believers to be “like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” This unity is characterized by humility, selflessness, and a focus on the mission of the church. (End Commentary Break).

(End Chapter 17).

The concept of unity in purpose also extends to the use of spiritual gifts. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 , Paul compares the church to a body, with many parts working together for a common purpose. Each member has a unique role, but all are essential for the health and function of the body.

Unity in purpose is a vital aspect of the Christian faith, reflecting the oneness of God and His desire for His people to work together in fulfilling His mission on earth. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are called to live in harmony, striving together for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.

Despite its importance, unity in purpose can be challenged by divisions, disagreements, and personal agendas. The New Testament addresses these issues, urging believers to resolve conflicts and maintain harmony. In 1 Corinthians 1:10 , Paul appeals to the church, “I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction.”

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

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NEXT:  (coming soon) THE BOOK OF JOHN, Chapter 18, Judas Betrays Jesus, Jesus Before the Priests, Peter’s Denial of Jesus, Jesus Before Pilate,

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PS: A personal note: Unity within a church Body can sometimes be a difficult, challenging and deeply troubling matter. No matter which side of any disagreement or dispute you find yourself, if you find yourself at odds within your Church, and you find yourself in the minority, it is incumbent on you to either find unity or to move on. Either you have become inconsolable or the church has drifted from its mission or has even been corrupted. In any case, as a true believer, you must find peace in unity because you are to be – and in fact are – the visible witness of Christ.

And as a reminder: This study and commentary is not meant to be an exhaustive study or commentary on the historicity, linguistics, social, political, geographical or doctrinal fine points of the Bible – although it may express some of the characteristics. It is meant to be and so designed to lead to an application of The Word of God in the life of a believer. For an in depth comprehensive study, I strongly recommend BibleHub.Org.