Day 20: John 17
The full extent of John 17 is a prayer that Jesus prays that has been split into three sections.
These sections in most bibles are titled:
1. Jesus prays to be glorified
– It’s all about Him doing God’s will.
2. Jesus prays for his disciples
– Keep them in my joy
– Sanctify them by truth
3. Jesus prays for all believers
I want to focus on Jesus prayer for all believers. At the time Jesus is praying for those who will in the future believe in Him, so this 100% includes us. Therefore it’s worth us paying special attention to this prayer and perhaps receiving it a fresh today, and making a choice to realign ourselves to Jesus’ words.
The first thing he prays for is that there would be unity among the believers. It’s interesting that his disciples were all from Galilee but Jesus knew that the future believers would be from every tribe and tongue and that unity would be key.
He likens it to the unity between God the father and God the son.
He goes on to say (John 17:22-23 NIV):
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. I in them and you in me so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
This shows me just how important unity is, that Jesus specifies that people will be able to see that the believers are sent from Him, because they have unity together.
We live in a world that loves division and we sometimes struggle to even allow other people to have slightly different views to us, but it’s so key that we focus on what unities us (the unity of the Spirit) and set aside differences. Why? Because others are watching!
John 17:24 NIV:
Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
The second thing he prays is really powerful, that we would be marked by glory. I love this.
- The glory of His word
- The glory His Spirit
- The glory of His power
And check this out: The glory of his presence.
His Glory is His presence, it’s His essential nature! Don’t you want to live a life today marked by His presence. Today why not ask God to flood you a fresh with His presence.
Ed Winbow
Campus Pastor Penrith