John 17: The Greatest Prayer in the Bible

—John 17:1–13 (Part 25)

Andrew Fountain – Apr 26, 2020

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

(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.

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!

John 17: The Greatest Prayer in the Bible —John 17:1–13 (Part 25) Andrew Fountain – Apr 26, 2020 Click on this slide and then press the spacebar to advance slides: ➜ (or swipe on a touch screen)

John 17: The Greatest Prayer in the Bible

—John 17:1–13 (Part 25)

Goal:

Plan for today

Structure of John

John 13–21 “Book of Glory”

Last 7 weeks:

Plan for today

A very natural form

Prayer form example in v.14–18

Prayers of John 17

John 17 – Jesus Prays to the Father

Plan for today

Plan for today

3. Responding to Jesus’ prayer for us