A Prayerful Approach to the Foot of the Cross

We are getting close to wrapping our study of John up. Tonight we are going to be looking at the last chapter before the passion narrative begins. This last thing we see is a prayer. Scripture commands us in Matthew 16:24:

Matthew 16:24 ESV

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

We are to pick up our cross and follow in the steps of Christ. So if we are to do that what should be thoughts at the forefront of our minds. The key to that can be found here in John 17.

Glory (V. 6)

We see the word glory mentioned 8 times in this prayer. Which means it is a very important word, but even so we know glory is important.

Who’s glory is important? God’s glory. We are the creation and He is the Creator we attest to his majesty.

Carrying our cross is not about making our names known, but God’s (v. 6)

Our approach to the cross should be one in how can I bear the cross to glorify God? How does my sacrifice glorify God? How can I carry myself in a more God honoring manner?

Practice humility.

Find ways to give God the credit for every success in your life.

Ask students how they can give credit in different things? DECA, baseball, school, etc.

It is alright to be a no name, we don’t need recognition.

Eternal Life (V. 3)

“This is eternal life, that they know you (V. 3)”

Eternal life is knowing God (salvation). The cross made it possible for us to know God. John 14:6 makes it clear the only way to God is through Christ.

John 14:6 ESV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

The way was made possible by Christ going to the cross.

Consider the eternal consequences of your actions.

Will your action mess up opportunities to have Gospel conversations. As we pick up our cross we need to ask ourselves the question of how will this benefit eternally? How will this point people to eternal life? How will this help someone get to know God better?

Unity (v. 11)

“That they may be one, even as we are one”

God sets an example for us in the Trinity of walking in unity. Jesus prays that we walk in unity. So as we approach the cross how do we walk in unity. How am I doing my part in walking in unity with the church as a whole? We are the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:27

1 Corinthians 12:27 ESV

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

A body working in unison is a healthy body. When one member chooses to act as its on, you distract from the healthy mission of the body. We are not dueling with our crosses, but walking together.

Know your role and don’t compare.

An arm cant be a leg and vice versa. A right arm can’t be a left arm, etc.

Protection (v. 15)

We need to approach the cross knowing the blood from it serves to protect us not to take us out of this world. Jesus here does not pray for us to be removed from the world, but that we are kept from the evil one. This does not mean we are free from his attacks, but that we are capable of withstanding those attacks and coming out on top.

Jesus coming to die on the cross was not about taking us out of this world, but to arm us to face the challenges of this world in the view of the eternal and spiritual.

Don’t look for a way out of the trial, maximize your time on the witness stand.

Sanctify in Truth (V. 17)

John 17:17 ESV

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

We come in truth. Jesus prays that we are sanctified in truth and that truth is the word. The way we come to the cross, the way we realize we need prayer is by being in the Word and letting it sanctify us.

Let Scripture be your guide.

Don’t let opinions, acdemia, music, people be your guide.