Jesus Keeps Praying

That Jesus had people on his mind as he prayed just before his arrest is not surprising. This prayer in John 17 is sometimes called the high priestly prayer. Jesus is our great high priest which in basic terms means he is the one that represents us before the Father. He does that, not only in prayer, but by virtue of going to the cross to pay for our sins so we would have access to God the Father. So, with the cross and its suffering and shame approaching, Jesus’ mind goes from his desire to glorify HIS Father to those disciples he had just spent his time with for several years. His prayer indicates his heart and his desire for what would be accomplished in the lives of his disciples.

Despite their shortcomings, Jesus speaks very well of his followers to his Father. He realized that his task of showing them the Father by his teaching and example has been successful. I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; You gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me, and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me (John 17:6-8). Before Jesus came, people could know about God but not truly know him in the sense that was now possible through Jesus, his Son. Jesus recognized that his disciples were preordained by God and would be the ones who Jesus would invest in and who would eventually help establish the church. Although they were not perfect, the importance of obedience is shown as Jesus states that they obeyed the Word of God. Those disciples also recognized Jesus’ authority and the fact that he came on a mission from God as Messiah. For one to become saved, one must believe that Jesus was sent from God and is equal to God.

Pastor David Jeremiah put it well. “True disciples belong to God the Father — the origin of discipleship rests in his heart. But the operation of discipleship is through Jesus Christ: you gave them to me. Speaking specifically of the Twelve, Jesus said that these men have obeyed your word. This is the obligation of discipleship: obedience to the written Word of God. The way a person regards the Bible is the way he or she regards Christ, the living Word”. Jesus prays very specifically for his disciples (9). That is a good example to us to pray as clearly and specifically as possible. It’s easy to pray for “the missionaries” but better to pray for them by name and be aware of the burdens and blessings in their lives. I sometimes pray for God to do a work in the lives of certain relatives or friends, but I need to consider what exactly I’m asking him to do and how I might be part of his plan and be used by him. Another interesting phrase that Jesus uses is they are yours. We would do well to reflect more often on the fact that we are not our own. We are bought with a price and literally belong to God (1 Cor. 6:20). It is comforting to know we are in God’s hands but it’s a challenge to realize that we are to glorify him with our bodies and minds since we belong to him. Jesus pointed out that his followers bring him glory and that brings glory to the Father since they belong to one another, and we belong to God.

Jesus knew he would not remain on the earth much longer. But for generations, Christians have been walking on the earth. It is a dangerous place to be spiritually and sometimes physically. Jesus knew what would be in the future of those eleven men; so, he prayed for the Father’s protection and unity. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one (11). I have ministered in several dangerous places and yet was not very afraid because I knew the power of Jesus’ name and the protection offered. And I also understood that God’s will would be done; so, even if harm did come, it would be because he allowed it and had a purpose for it.

Jesus prayed for one of the reasons that we should as well. He wanted his children to have joy within them (13). No matter what may come our way in this life, we can have an inner joy that the world cannot understand. Happiness depends on happenings, but joy is based on our relationship with Jesus and all that he provides. The Word of God is again mentioned because that is our source of joy along with the Holy Spirit. Christians should not expect the world to understand them or accept them. We are not of this world and ultimately do not belong here since we are passing through (14). However, while we are here, we know that there is an enemy and Jesus prayed for the protection of his disciples from that evil one (15). We are going through a process of sanctification. God’s truth is the vital instrument that is used in that amazing process (17). Jesus’ disciples do not just exist to take up space and time but they are sent into the world and allowed to live for a purpose. God is using his children and preparing them for eternity (18-19). It is no wonder Jesus took prayer so seriously and keeps praying (Romans 8:33-34).