John 17 Jesus Our Intercessor
Introduction
This is the longest prayer recorded in the New Testament and is the real “Lord’s Prayer.” Here he prays as our intercessor, our great high priest. In the Old Testament, the high priest would prayer for himself, his family and for all Israel. Here Jesus prays for Himself, His church and for all the future family of God.
Once again, we see events from John’s book that are not in the other Gospel accounts, possibly because John stayed closest to Jesus. (John 3; 18:15)
The outline of the chapter can be seen in the three things Jesus as our High Priest prayed for.
For Himself Vs. 1-5
For His Disciples Vs. 6-19 (Sons of Aaron)
For All Saved Vs. 20-26 (All Israelites)
Vs. 1-5 What did Jesus ask the Father for Himself?
To glorify the son, with the glory they shared before the world was.
How would Jesus be glorified (honored)?
By His death, resurrection, and the events which took place around Him during that time, and finally by his ascension proving that He truly was the Messiah and God the Son
Vs. 3 What did Jesus say was “life eternal?”
To know God and Jesus Christ, who He sent.
How did Jesus glorify His Father?
By his obedience and submission.
How does verse 5 confirm, beyond doubt, that Jesus was not just a man?
Jesus asks the Father to personally glorify Him with the glory which He had with the Father before the world existed. (His pre-incarnation)
Vs. 6-19 Who are “the men” that Jesus speaks of?
The apostles.
What did Jesus say about the apostles?
God gave them to Him.
They have kept His Word.
They knew that Jesus words came from the Father.
They knew that Jesus came from the Father.
What did Jesus ask the Father on behalf of his disciples?
Vs. 11 Keep them that they may be one.
Vs. 15 Not to take them out of the world, but keep them from evil.
Vs. 17 Sanctify (set them apart for a special purpose) them through thy truth.
Besides God the Father, who else would glorify Jesus?
The apostles, with their lives and faithfulness.
Notice the times Jesus uses the phrase “the world.”
Vs. 6 out of the world
Vs. 11 I am no longer in the world but these are in the world
Vs. 14, the world hated them because they are not of the world, as He was not of this world.
Vs. 15 Pray not to take them out of the world
Vs. 16 They are not of this world as He is not of this world.
Vs. 17-19 What danger is Jesus praying about?
The danger of the apostles being captured by and conformed to this world.
Vs. 20 Who are those who believe on Jesus through the Apostles word?
Those who would be saved throughout history and those who are being saved today.
Vs. 21-23 What is Jesus prayer request for His apostles then and for us today?
That they all may be one, even as the Father and the Son.
Vs. 21 What would be the result of this unity?
The world may believe that the Father sent the Son and know that God loves them as He loves the son.
What kind of unity is Jesus praying for?
He is not praying for a one world organization that would allow heresy alongside truth. He was praying for a unity of love, obedience, and purpose. Unity comes from conforming to the truth not from conforming for the sake of unity itself and ignoring the truth.
Vs. 24 What was the final request of Jesus concerning the apostles and including us?
That they and we would be able to behold His glory, to see Him exalted and glorified as He was before He come to earth.
When would this happen?
First, partially, at the accension but fully one day in heaven.
Vs. 25-26 What does Jesus mean when he says, “I have declared unto them thy name?”
Jesus fully showed the very person of God, the express image of God to the apostles. Before He came we knew of God but now through Him we can personally know God, the Father.
What would be the result of such a knowledge of God?
We will share the same love that the Father and the Son shared.
Lessons Learned from about Prayer from the Lord’s Prayer
Jesus’ prayer honors and praises God.
Jesus’ prayer is a personal conversation.
Jesus’ prayer is passionate and intercessory.
Jesus’ prayer looks from the present to eternity.
We should learn how to pray as much from this prayer as from the Model Prayer in Matthew 6 and Luke 11.
Jesus prayer to the Father was built upon what elements?
God’s Power vs. 2
God’s Possession vs. 6
God’s Character vs. 11
God’s Truth, the Word vs. 17
God’s Love vs. 23, 26
God’s Righteousness vs. 25
Conclusion
On the night before His trial, Jesus did two very important things. He spent time with the apostles, his church and He spent time in prayer with God the Father.
We can learn much from Jesus in these actions. When we are dealing with trials in our own life, we should turn to those we love and who love us and we must turn to God in prayer. Jesus went on from the Garden to Golgotha in the power and comfort drawn from these.
We can also draw strength today for our trails from the incredible realization that Jesus then, in the midst of his coming suffering, prayed for us directly as we go through ours today.
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