Jesus' Prayer, Unity in Christ, Eternal Life, Sanctification, Christian Unity, Knowing God, Jesus' Mission, Intercessory Prayer, Protection from Evil, Relationship with God, Unity in the Church, Love of God, Prayer for Believers, Glory of God
“The High Priestly Prayer” — In a hush lit by oil and moon, the Son bears His own to the Father: for their keeping, their sanctification, and a unity that will make His glory visible in the world.
The High Priestly Prayer of Jesus
This chapter records one of the most profound prayers in the Bible, often referred to as the "High Priestly Prayer." It is a deeply intimate moment where Jesus prays to the Father on the eve of His crucifixion. The prayer is divided into three sections: Jesus prays for Himself (verses 1-5), for His disciples (verses 6-19), and for all future believers (verses 20-26).
John 17 takes place during the final hours of Jesus' earthly ministry, likely after the Last Supper and before His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. This prayer is unique to the Gospel of John and reveals Jesus' heart for His mission, His followers, and the unity of the Church. In Jewish tradition, priests would intercede for the people, and here, Jesus acts as the ultimate High Priest, interceding for His disciples and all who would believe in Him.
Verses 1-5: Jesus prays for Himself, asking the Father to glorify Him so that He may glorify the Father. He reflects on His mission to give eternal life to those the Father has given Him and declares that eternal life is knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent.
Verses 6-19: Jesus shifts His focus to His disciples. He prays for their protection, unity, and sanctification. He acknowledges that they are in the world but not of it and asks the Father to keep them from the evil one.
Verses 20-26: Jesus prays for all future believers, asking for unity among them so that the world may believe in Him. He desires that they experience the same love and glory that He shares with the Father.
John 17:3: "Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent." This verse defines eternal life not as a distant future reality but as a present relationship with God through Jesus. It emphasizes the relational nature of salvation.
John 17:11: "Holy Father, protect them by Your name, the name You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one." Jesus prays for the unity of His disciples, reflecting the perfect unity between the Father and the Son. This unity is essential for their witness to the world.
John 17:21: "That all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me." Jesus prays for the unity of all believers, linking it to the effectiveness of their testimony to the world.
This prayer reveals Jesus' deep love for His followers and His desire for their unity, protection, and sanctification. It also highlights the mission of the Church: to reflect the unity and love of God so that the world may come to believe in Jesus. The passage challenges us to examine our relationship with God and our commitment to unity within the body of Christ.
Pursue Unity in the Church: Jesus' prayer for unity calls us to set aside divisions and work together as one body, reflecting God's love to the world.
Live as People Set Apart: Just as Jesus prayed for His disciples to be sanctified, we are called to live holy lives that honor God and stand out in a broken world.
Deepen Your Relationship with God: Eternal life begins now through knowing God and Jesus Christ. Invest in prayer, Scripture, and worship to grow closer to Him.
How does Jesus' definition of eternal life challenge or deepen your understanding of salvation?
In what ways can you contribute to unity within your church or Christian community?
Are there areas in your life where you need to seek God's sanctification and protection from the evil one?
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Help us to know You more deeply and to live in unity with one another as a testimony to the world. Sanctify us by Your truth and protect us from the evil one. May we reflect Your love and glory in all that we do.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
"How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!" —Psalm 133:1
This week, reach out to someone in your church or community with whom you’ve had differences. Seek reconciliation and unity, reflecting the love and prayer of Jesus in John 17.
