Jesus is preparing the world for the age to come, a time when the Kingdom of God has come near, a time when the final sacrifice has been made, a time when people may choose to believe God and accept Jesus Christ. Eternal life has been offered, and Jesus defines it, “that they may know you (God)”. Then Jesus prays for the Apostles, those that had walked with Him and witnessed His words and work in the earth. He prayed for joy, protection, and sanctification. And, then He prayed for us, all who would believe because of their words and He prayed for unity among us “in order that the world may believe that you sent me”. This is what the world needs to see, that we love one another.
The World Hates the Disciples
This is Life Eternal
John 17:1–5
Jesus came that we might have eternal life. Not everyone will have this life, but everyone could have it. The knowledge of who God id exists in the world, it is available for all of humankind to know. But this isn’t like physical life and physical death as we know them. Eternal life is defined in
John 17:3 (LEB) Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
If eternal life is in knowing God, then eternal death is separation from him. Separation from God happened in the garden with Adam and Eve by their sin. From there, sin has ruled in the earth, separation from God has ruled, death and sickness and disease have ruled because we, all of humankind was cut off from access to God. But Jesus Christ came in
1 John 5:13-15 John goes on to say that “we can have confidence”, those of us “who believe in the Son of God”. But it isn’t just written to those that believe, it is those that “believe in the Son of God, so you may know you have eternal life”. Knowing this, “you have eternal life”, now, “we can be confident”.
The Men Whom You Gave Me Out of the World
John 17:6–19
Jesus could easily have taken us out of the world but he didn’t. Instead, he is preparing the world and us who remain in it for the times ahead. He says in
John 17:8 (LEB) because the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they received them and know truly that I have come from you, and they have believed that you have sent me.
Jesus delivered God’s word to us. What Jesus said was God’s will for us. The disciples who followed Jesus weren’t just witnessing the life of a man, they were witnessing the will and purpose of God to free all men from sin and death. Jesus says in John 17:12 “When I was with them, I kept them in your name”. Now He prays in John 17:11 “Holy Father, keep them in your name”. Then He says:
- that they may have my joy
- that you protect them from the evil one
- sanctify them in the truth
Those Who Believe in Me Through Their Word
John 17:20–26
Now Jesus prays for us, who will come after Jesus lived on the earth, who will come after the Apostles of the Lamb. We don’t have Jesus giving us the gospel of the kingdom. We have the words that were written by the witnesses who were with him, His Apostles. We also have the words of those that have believed through them and been born again. These are the ones who are now sealed by the spirit of truth, the same Holy Spirit that descended on Jesus in John 1:32 and the same Holy Spirit that fell on them all in Acts 2:2-4 and the same Holy Spirit that fell on Cornelius and his household in Acts 10:44. This message that the Kingdom of God has come near is spread by preaching the word, it is spread by a witness who has experienced life and shares the gospel of life through Jesus Christ as Peter did in Acts 10:34-43. Jesus prays for them, for us, in
John 17:21 (LEB) that they all may be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you, that they also may be in us, in order that the world may believe that you sent me.
and it is through our unity that “the world may believe that you sent me”.
Jesus Prays at Gethsemane
Mark 14:32-42
Matthew 26:36-46
Luke 22:39-46
My Soul is Deeply Grieved
Mark 14:32–42
The Spirit is Willing, but the Flesh is Weak!
Matthew 26:36–46
Matthew 26:39 (LEB) And going forward a little he fell down on his face, praying and saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
Pray That You Will Not Enter Into Temptation
Luke 22:39–46
Study Verses
- John 17:1–5 This is Life Eternal
- John 17:6–19 The Men Whom You Gave Me Out of the World
- John 17:20–26 Those Who Believe in Me Through Their Word
Today’s Reading
- Matthew 26:36-46
- Mark 14:32-42
- Luke 22:39-46
- John 17:1-26
The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ – The Gospels
This series follows the order of readings from the Tyndale One Year Chronological Bible. Covering these events chronologically as they happened, gives a much different context and helps us understand the move of God as He is introducing the Saviour, the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. This series begins with Return To Me And I Will Return To You at the end of Malachi and introduces the “Witnesses” writing the Gospels.
Operation Exodus
is helping Jewish people return to their homeland. You might fund one that desires to go home. http://operationexodususa.org/Overview
