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Jesus’ Prayer
The study is in the Gospel of John, focusing on the final 72 hours of Jesus’ life—an intense period culminating in the crucifixion. Jesus, knowing his departure was imminent, had been preparing his disciples for life without him. This preparation culminates in John 17, where Jesus does not withdraw to pray alone as he often did, but instead begins praying aloud in front of the disciples. This prayer, known as the High Priestly Prayer, is the longest recorded prayer of Jesus in the Gospels. It provides a rare and intimate look into Jesus’ relationship with the Father, grounded in eternal love shared before the world began.
Jesus' prayer can be divided into three sections: first, he prays for himself; then for his disciples; and finally, for all future believers. He begins by stating, “The hour has come. Glorify your Son so that he can give glory back to you.” This moment marks a shift from his frequent past statements that “his hour had not yet come.” Now, Jesus acknowledges that the time has arrived—his crucifixion is imminent.
The biblical meaning of the word “glorify” in the New Testament means to praise or honor and draw attention to someone—namely God. In the Old Testament, it implies giving weight or authority. Jesus is asking the Father to return him to the place of splendor he held before becoming human, essentially asking to be restored to his rightful, pre-incarnate glory at the Father’s right hand. This glorification involves not just resurrection and ascension but also the honor inherent in his sacrificial death. In doing so, Jesus glorifies the Father. This dynamic affirms Jesus' unique authority and divine status—unlike any prophet or religious leader in history.
Eternal Life Through Knowing God
Jesus defines eternal life as knowing “the one true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” This is the essence of Christianity: reconciliation with God through knowing Jesus. Many people mistakenly believe they already have a relationship with God simply because they pray or feel spiritual. However, the Bible teaches that humans are born alienated from God due to sin. Without reconciliation through Christ, we stand under judgment—even if we’re unaware of it.
[Friendship example]. We might think we’re fine with God while, from His perspective, we are estranged. Our actions have made us enemies of God, and we need a mediator—Jesus—to restore the relationship. The moment we accept Jesus’ forgiveness, we can be reconciled and truly know God.
Glorifying God Through Mission
Verses 4 and 5 emphasize Jesus glorifying the Father by completing his mission on earth. There is a common misconception that glorifying God means attending church or singing worship songs. While those are valid, Scripture shows that glorifying God is broader—it includes serving others, sacrificing for those in need, and sharing the message of Christ. Matthew 5:16 and Ephesians 1:12 argue that good works and evangelism are powerful ways of glorifying God. Glorifying God is not necessarily our primary goal but a byproduct of serving and loving others in Christ’s name.
Seeking Glory and Approval—From God, Not Man
A potentially controversial idea is that seeking glory is not inherently wrong. While it often appears selfish or egotistical, the underlying desire for approval is universal—and not necessarily sinful. The issue is not the desire for approval, but where we seek it. Instead of striving for human praise, we are called to seek affirmation from God. Unlike human approval, God's approval deeply satisfies and affirms our worth. When we serve God, He shares His glory with us—a privilege beyond what we deserve.
[Academic example]. When we serve God, He acknowledges our work—even if it goes unseen by others—and graciously shares His glory with us. Jesus criticized the religious leaders of his day (John 12:43) for seeking the "glory" (Greek: doxa) of men rather than that of God. This problem persists today: we often crave human approval instead of God’s, to our spiritual detriment.
Jesus Prays for His Disciples
The focus of Jesus’ prayer shifts in verses 6–8 as he begins praying for his disciples. He recounts that he revealed God to them, and they responded with faith and obedience. Jesus emphasizes that everything he gave them originated from the Father, and the disciples accepted his words, understood his divine origin, and believed in his mission. He expresses deep unity with the Father and affirms that the disciples now belong to both of them. Through their response to Jesus’ teaching, they have already brought glory to him.
Jesus continues his prayer by declaring, “All I have is yours, and all you have is mine.” This bold statement underscores Jesus’ claim to divinity, directly challenging the assertion by critics that Jesus never claimed to be God. In a strictly monotheistic culture, saying that everything belonging to God the Father also belongs to oneself would be considered a direct claim to equality with God. Jesus is therefore affirming that he is more than a prophet or teacher—he is God himself.
He then acknowledges the glory he received through his disciples. During his ministry, Jesus had sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and perform healings. These missions changed lives and brought honor to Jesus, who now prepares to leave the world while they remain behind. As he returns to the Father, Jesus prays for their protection—not just physical safety but spiritual preservation—asking God to keep them unified, just as he and the Father are one.
Jesus’ request that the Father protect the disciples “in your name” might sound cryptic, but it reflects a deeper truth. To keep them in God's name means to keep them grounded in God’s revealed character—something Jesus had made known to them. The “name” represents who God is: his truth, justice, compassion, and holiness. Jesus had preserved them during his time on earth, except for Judas, whose betrayal fulfilled prophecy.
Now Jesus prays that they would continue to find joy—not temporary happiness, but a profound, sustaining joy rooted in their relationship with God. This joy stems from gratitude, fulfillment, and contentment in living out God's purpose. Unlike fleeting emotions, this joy defines a life shaped by God's love, even amid hardship.
Jesus’ prayer also addresses the disciples’ role in the world. He had given them God’s word, and as a result, the world hated them—just as it hated him. He asks not that they be removed from the world, but that they be protected from the evil one. This reflects a tension every Christian must navigate: how to live in the world without becoming part of its corrupt system.
There are two primary dangers Jesus highlights. The first is assimilation—believers adopting the world’s values so thoroughly that they are indistinguishable from unbelievers. The second is isolation—retreating into a Christian “fortress,” removed from the world in a misguided attempt to stay pure. Jesus rejects both. He calls for engagement with the world while maintaining a distinct identity.
[Isolation examples]. Such legalistic controls don’t change hearts, and often produce the opposite of their intended effect.
Another form of retreat is the creation of a parallel Christian culture. While meant to provide wholesome alternatives, these subcultures can become insular and even alienating. Christian music, films, and jargon often feel unintelligible or strange to outsiders. Instead of engaging the world, this alternative culture can separate believers from it.
To combat this, Paul’s approach in 1 Corinthians 9 offers a compelling model: adapt to different audiences in order to reach them. He became “all things to all people” so that he might save some. This doesn’t mean moral compromise, but cultural flexibility for the sake of the gospel. Like Paul, believers are called to be fully present in the world—relating to people on their terms while remaining distinct in values and purpose.
Jesus’ vision for his followers is not withdrawal but engaged distinctiveness. Our words and lives should raise questions. People should sense that something is different, something compelling, in how we treat others and what we prioritize.
Misguided Strategies for Church Growth
Modern church strategies for reaching the world can include the consumer-based approach—building beautiful, amenity-rich facilities tailored to attract specific demographics; or using market research to identify target populations and crafting church experiences around their preferences.
An article cited, “How to Build Your Own Young Adult Mega-Church,” suggests formulas for attracting young people, treating ministry more like a marketing endeavor than a spiritual calling. Though the text of the article claims to include the Spirit's help, its tone and method suggest a reliance on human strategy rather than divine guidance.
External appeal or consumer satisfaction cannot substitute for true gospel transformation. The question s: are we trying to impress people, or are we trying to offer them Christ? Churches can become obsessed with appearances and consumer appeal, rather than spiritual depth or authenticity.
Jesus' Prayer for Future Believers and the Power of Unity
Shifting back to Jesus’ prayer in John 17, in verse 20 Jesus prays not only for his disciples but also “for those who will believe in me through their message”—that includes us today. This is a profound reminder that Jesus, before going to the cross, was thinking about future generations of believers. He prays that they would be one, just as he and the Father are one. This supernatural unity is meant to be a testimony to the world that Jesus was truly sent by God.
The unity Jesus prays for is not surface-level diversity or polite coexistence, but a deep spiritual oneness born from shared faith and identity in Christ. This unity cannot be manufactured by programs or quotas; it emerges organically through the Holy Spirit’s work. [Dwell church example].
[Home group member example].
Jesus also prays that his followers would be sanctified in the truth, specifically the truth found in God’s word. This isn’t just theoretical doctrine—it’s transformative, life-shaping truth that comes directly from God. Christians are called to be distinct in their beliefs, values, and understanding of reality. Scripture is not meant simply to encourage or comfort; it is the revelation of God’s own thoughts and intentions. It’s why believers devote time to studying the Bible: it defines who they are and how they live.
Living in the World, Not of It
First, believers are given the incredible privilege of drawing attention to God's mercy and love by how they live and serve others. Second, Jesus' prayer warns against two errors: being too much like the world and being too detached from it. Some Christians live lives so indistinguishable from unbelievers that no one would guess they follow Jesus—this is a call to moral and spiritual distinctiveness. Others isolate themselves from the world, avoiding engagement with non-Christians outside of work or school. This is a call to missional presence. Finally, believers are to be marked by what they believe and by the joy they have in Christ. That joy, distinctiveness, and love should provoke curiosity in those who do not yet know God.