John 17: The Greatest Prayer in the Bible

—John 17:1–13 (Part 25)

Andrew Fountain – Apr 26, 2020

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Goal:

That we will feel what it would have been like for the disciples to overhear Jesus praying for them
in such a powerful, caring and intimate way.
And that we should take it in that the prayer is for us as well.

Plan for today

The Prayer of John 17 —overview
Jesus’s heart for his people (v.11–13)
Responding to Jesus’ prayer for us

Structure of John

1–12 ”Book of Signs”	13–21 ”Book of Glory”

John 13–21 “Book of Glory”

13 A meal with the disciples

14–17 New Teaching
from Jesus
to the disciples

18–20 Arrest
Crucifixion
Resurrection

21 A meal with the disciples

Last 7 weeks:

Jesus —The God who will Wash your Feet and
Love you to the End
The care, empathy and unselfishness of Jesus, and that
the Father is just like Jesus
An invitation to step into
the same love as is between Jesus & the Father
You can only live this new life
by being connected with the vine
How are we connected?
by stepping out in obedience to the prompting of Jesus
which nurtures this new life and lets it grow
Promise of the Spirit of Truth
We’re actually better off than disciples because of the Spirit
In a little while… your sorrow will turn to joy
Jesus tells us to pray and experience the joy of a Father who hears and answers

Plan for today

The Prayer of John 17 —overview
Jesus’s heart for his people (v.11–13)
Responding to Jesus’ prayer for us

A very natural form

I wish I could support my friends who are in need
But I would need more income
which would mean a better job
So I am praying for this
so that when God answers my prayer
and gives me a better job
and I have more income
I can support those in need

Prayer form example in v.14–18

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them
they do not belong to the world,
just as I do not belong to the world
I am not asking you to take them out of the world,
but that you keep them safe from the evil one.
They do not belong to the world
just as I do not belong to the world.
… your word is truth… I sent them into the world.

Prayers of John 17

(1–5) I have completed your mission and brought eternal life to humanity, so the time has come for me to come back to your side in glory.
(6–10) You entrusted me with your loved ones, so I fed them your words and they received them. I pray for them now because they belong to us both.
(11–13) Now I am leaving them, please keep them safe, and especially give them the kind of unity that we have.
(14–19) Keep them safe, but also may they be dedicated to our mission, and sent out just as I was sent out.
(20–23) And as the mission grows, may the world see their love and unity and so believe in your love!
(24–26) And finally, I want them to be with me forever, enveloped in our love.

John 17 – Jesus Prays to the Father

(1–5) I have completed your mission and brought eternal life to humanity, so the time has come for me to come back to your side in glory.
- echo of the beginning of John
  - The theme of Jesus in glory with the Father, before creation, coming to earth, saving a people, and returning
- One thing to pick out
  - Note “eternal life” cf John 3:16
  - Not merely living forever, —that would be eternal existence
    but mainly to actually get to know God—because he is so amazing (and Jesus is the perfect revelation)
(6–10) You entrusted me with your loved ones, so I fed them your words and they received them. I pray for them now because they belong to us both.
- Expands on the middle of 1. —what does it mean to leaver his name?
- Three things:
  1. A lot of this would be new to the disciples
  2. It unpacks the heart of Jesus’ mission—he has done what he was given to do
  3. It puts us in a new light—jointly loved, a precious possession
    -As I have been reading and studying this chapter, the key thing that has hit me is that it has been defining my identity so much higher
(11–13) Now I am leaving them, please keep them safe, and especially give them the kind of unity that we have.
- This is where I want to land today.

Plan for today

The Prayer of John 17 —overview
Jesus’s heart for his people (v.11–13)
Responding to Jesus’ prayer for us

2. Jesus’s heart for his people (v.11–13)

v.11, 12 He wants us to be protected and kept safe (particularly from the evil one)

“but I am coming to you” (11, 13)
He felt responsible for the disciples safety—he cares so much for them.

And he cares for you in the same way
- How would this have felt to the disciples listening to him. so comforting
  - My brother in law had a heart problem a month ago, and went to the doctors
  - The doctor was so caring and really was there for him
  - Imagine you hear your doctor on the phone
- Years ago, in the UK, I worked for IBM, and had to make an urgent business trip
  - My boss was so caring and made sure every tiny detail was taken care of for me
- It feels so good when a person in authority, with lots of resources, makes it clear how much they care about you
  - What was it like for the disciples?
  - “in your name” = with your authority
- How does it make you feel to “overhear” Jesus talking to the Father about you with so much care?

v.13 Not just our safety, but our joy as well, that it would be full, or complete
- This moves me as well.
- Sometimes we think of God as a stern parent who is much more interesting in what is good for us than what will make us happy
  “Eat this, it is good for you”
- Of course, Jesus does want that, but here is is quite clearly joy that he ends up with.
- How does that make you feel? Just take a moment.
v.11 so that they may be one, just as we are one
- The very centre of this prayer
  - Our joy will be bound up with our unity
- This is an almost unbelievable statement
- We have not reached this, but Jesus’s plan is that we will
- Shame and fear keep us apart, but this is the very high point of God’s love for us
  - This is the destiny of creation
  - I can’t claim to understand the depths of it—it just seems too much
    - but I do know that this love is the very essence of God’s plan for the future
- Next week’s passage!

Plan for today

The Prayer of John 17 —overview
Jesus’s heart for his people (v.11–13)
Responding to Jesus’ prayer for us

3. Responding to Jesus’ prayer for us

How much Jesus cared about his disciples, to be kept safe!
(Feel what that is like to know it applies to you right now, if you follow him)
Not only does he care, but it is really important to him that you have extreme joy
That is where the prayer lands! It is your destiny
(What is it like to let it sink in that he is passionate that you should come into this kind of joy.)
Both of these are woven tightly into something deeper—your unity with other believers
So put a priority on exploring and developing it.
Growing in Love is going to turn out to be the road to joy
Ask Jesus to help you grow in it this week!