Jesus prays
Notes
Transcript
John 17:1-26
BI: . our lives are about showing that Jesus is great as we work together to confidently share the Gospel.
Introduction
each night as we put the children to bed, we pray for them and with them. and i’ll be honest, often i’m half slumped on the side of the bed i’m pretty tired from post dinner, bible clean up routine. and you know, generally we’ll pray for things to thank God for. ask God for. praise god for. and we go in order youngest to oldest. but recently i have noticed one of the kids stressing out worried she’s like Dad can you pray i don’t get bad dreams. i’m scared. it’s kind of cute and i want to take her seriously as well. you pray for the things you think about. pray can be like that can’t it? it’s a window of what we are concerned about. what are our priorities. things on our hearts on our minds. i wonder what are your concerns? what are your priorities as you pray to God?
Context
This morning, we get an insight into Jesus’ prayer life. What was his priority? What’s on his heart? And at the heart of Jesus prayer is the glory of God. And what we learn today are that in fact, our lives are about showing Jesus is great as we work together to confidently share the Gospel. that is God’s priority. that’s his desire. Let me say it again. I want us to know that our lives are about showing that Jesus is great as we work together to confidently share the Gospel.
Now, Jesus has been teaching the 11 what it will be like when he is gone. As we come to the end this John series, it’s been so good hasn’t it? Jesus has told his friends that the time has come. he’s going to die. Don’t worry take heart be encouraged, because I overcome the world. We heard last week only Jesus can bring lasting peace. Only Jesus can bring lasting joy.
Now he has to go to bring that about. and in fact as soon as this event is over Jesus will cross over to the Kidron Valley to a garden called Gethsemane. There he will pray on his own, get arrested and then taken to the cross. But here Jesus prays publicly. And he reveals his heart. What’s he concerned for?
He prays for himself. He prays for his disciples. and he prays for us. that’s how the passage is structured.
First he prays for himself. Come to verse 1
1. Jesus prays for himself (17:1-5)
When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you,
The hour has come. The hour of his death is here. so he says glorify your son. see, did you know that the hour of his death is the hour of his glory? or greatness. This is the key. It’s seems odd to say this. Because how can Jesus’ death be great? how can it be the hour of his glory? When we think glory or greatness we probably don’t think raygun the breakdancer. Some might. My kids enjoyed it. But we think of Ariarne Titmus 400 metres final at the Olympics. What a glorious swim. A great swim. She demolished her competitor Canadian swimmer Mcintrosh by a full body length. And as she wins it’s glorious. the commentator declares ‘she terminates her competition. She’s done it. She’s won. The splendor, the beauty its so wonderful she’s won. That’s greatness. But here Jesus prays ‘father, the hour has come; glorify your son – that is, take me to my death. He’s saying, Father take me to that hour where I will be beat, rejected, humiliated, spat at, abused, thrust upon a wooden cross, nailed driven through my hands and feet as I suffocate on the cross almost naked in front of everyone. How can that be great? And look there. this glorifies God. this makes God great. Glorify your Son, why? So the Son may glorify you. how’s it great? I want you to get this. It’s important. it’s the key to the passage. How?
For one. The cross is where we see God’s love. Jesus taught his disciples – John 15 no one has greater love than this that someone lay down his life for his friends. God’s glory is his goodness. It’s his character. he’s a good loving God. we see the extent of God's love for us. On the cross, what do we see? Even though you and I deserve to die for our sins. The God of creation Jesus came to die for our sins. he took our sins upon himself. Why? He loved us. He loved us, his church, his people.
God did not have to do that. He could have rightly let us die. There is nothing in us that is good. we are not good. I just look at my own thought life this week. I’m not good. But God’s plan is to send Jesus to die for my sins. That is I have rejected God. you have. We all have. We deserve to die. God says. He’s the creator. What he says goes. But here at the cross, we see how amazing how loving God is. and it’s not simply love of God that makes it good.
It’s how we come to know God. you see, I could say to my kids I love you guys so much, and I do lots. So, let me show you how by jumping onto oncoming train. The reality is, that does not show much. But what good am I to them if I am not around? I’m sure they would rather have me alive. But God did not send Jesus to die just to show us his love. look at verse 2 look at the words eternal life
john 17:2
John 17:2 (ESV)
since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.
This is why the cross is so great. Jesus is so great. Jesus dies to bring us eternal life to those God will give it to. See, when we think eternal life, we think resurrected bodies. I think, oh I’ve lost a few teeth I’ll never get back, but I can’t wait for the resurrected body when I will have a full set. But actually, what is eternal life? Here it is verse 3
john 17:3
And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
Eternal life is not just a place. It’s a relationship. It’s knowing God and Jesus whom he sent. It’s trusting Jesus. it’s trusting the Gospel. That Jesus died and rose again for my sins.
So let’s put it together. This is why the cross is so amazing and why Jesus is so great. he deserves glory. The greatest news you will ever hear. This is why death and greatness comes together. Listen here, It’s only in the cross we can come to God. without Jesus death, we cannot enter eternal life. God is perfect and sinless. And we are sinful – we reject God. we are wicked and evil. In Jesus death on the cross. he has washed us from sin. He has opened up the way to God. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us in the Father’s house ch 14. We can be children of God. to all who did receive him. he gave them the right to be children of God.
That’s the work he came to do. to make God known to bring us eternal life. And not only that, Jesus does not stay dead. Jesus knows he’s going home to be with his father.
And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
Like Titmus I mentioned before, she receives her gold medal. Steps onto the podium. receives glory and even from her competitors. Jesus is going home to his father. he dies for sins. but he does not stay dead. he will rise again. he will return to his Father in glory - greatness to life ruling and reigning forever.
Brothers and sisters, how wonderful is Jesus? how great is he? he would save us. he is great. But I wonder if you are like me. In your prayers, not all the time but a lot of it. it’s pretty small. I pray girls will learn at school, good prayer. I pray Joy recovers from her cough, it’s a good prayer. I ask God to help me be patient, loving, kind. all good prayers. But i find my prayers can be a bit of a to do list. But there’s no to do list here. We are to praise God. Jesus gives this to us so we will be in awe of God’s greatness. Be in awe of Jesus. he is great. He loves you. he loves me. He died and rose again for our sins. Wow. He is great. We ought to pray this prayer. we ought to praise God. That God be shown to be great. He is already. Jesus prays with God’s glory his greatness in mind.
Friends, Jesus in this passage thinks of others. His father’s greatness. and now his disciples. he’s so other person focussed. did you notice? See when I’m going through stress and struggle. I can get all wrapped up in my own thoughts. Just ask Joy right, first 2 years of marriage. I want you to know how it’s so hard for me. What I’m going through. You can’t understand. But not Jesus. he’s thinking about others. He is about to die on the cross. but he thinks of his disciples.
2. Jesus prays for his disciples (17:6-19)
So He prays for them.
I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.
The 11 disciples are there with him. He prays for them. Not 12 because Judas Iscariot, the son of destruction in verse 12 there. Judas has gone to betray him. And he prays for the 11. What does he pray for? He prays that God would keep them. or protect them. that’s what he prays for. these men who have been with him for 3 years. He loves them. Come to verse 11b
john 17:11
John 17:11 (ESV)
And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
Why? He’s not going to be there anymore. He’s going home to his Father. So he prays for God to keep them, protect them, hold onto them. because up until now, Jesus has kept them, protected them and held onto them. So now he prays the Father would protect them. Why this prayer? Well it’s going to be hard when he is gone. the world will hate them. just like they hated Jesus.
john 17:14
I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
And verse 15 is so interesting. Jesus goes but he gives them a mission. He doesn’t take them to heaven with him straight away. He doesn’t tell them to be like monks form a holy huddle around each other. ignore the world. No, look at verse 15
john 17: 15
I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
Jesus does not a pray for them not to suffer physically. Notice that. he does not pray that. He prays that God would protect them from the evil one. It’s spiritual harm. That they would stay true to the Gospel. Stick fat to the word that Jesus has given them. the truth of the Gospel. why? They have a job to do. so he prays to God for them to be set apart for this job verse 17
john 17:17
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
Jesus asks that they would be sanctified. big word. it means – set apart . Father, set them apart protect them for the Gospel. It’s like for me I have a particular pair of shorts I have set apart for mowing the lawn. It’s for mowing the lawn. That’s it’s purpose. Everyone knows when I put on those shorts I’m mowing the lawn. probably shouldn’t wear shorts but ah well. Jesus prays his disciples to be set apart for the truth. The truth of the Gospel. They are going to share the Gospel. that’s what they are to do.
john 17:18
As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.
They are to continue Jesus’ mission. Jesus is going home. But their job is just the beginning. and the job they have is so important. he loves them dearly. But he has an agenda. To tell the world about Jesus’s greatness – to share the Gospel. so he prays God would protect them and set them apart for sharing the Gospel.
Jesus prays here for the original disciples. its not for us. it’s for those who shared the meal with Jesus right there in the upper room. But friends, this prayer has been answered! because We have God’s word. the new testament written by these disciples and Paul. They kept God’s word. they weren’t perfect, but they believed Jesus was the Saviour and King. after Jesus rose again, and they received God’s Holy Spirit, they went and shared the Gospel boldly. Read the book of Acts. Why is this important? We can be confident in sharing the Gospel. We have God’s word. we can be confident that Jesus did die. it’s in God’s Word. He did rise. it’s in God’s Word. God answered Jesus’ prayer. We have his word with us, the Bible written down for us that the disciples wrote for us.
Jesus prays for his disciples then, but you know he prays for us!
3. Jesus prays for us (17:20-26)
Jesus prays with you in mind. You were the ones who believe in their message. He’s thinking of us in this moment. He faces death, as he goes to the cross expecting to die and suffer. He thinks of us. Look at Verse 20
come there
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
He prays two things for us.
he prays for we will be together - united. That they may all be one see it there. Like Jesus and God are one. We are united to God. That we would be together united by the Gospel. This is not a unity because we are all in a local tennis club. Or for a stamp collection club i knew a man who loved his stamps invited me to come along. i didn’t. Or unity all religions in the world come together. That’s not the picture here. no this is a prayer for us to be united in the truth of God’s word – the Gospel. To be one as those who know and belong to Jesus. we are together. we come together because we know God. we come together because we have the one Father who unites us. we come together because of the Gospel.
Why does he pray this? There’s a purpose to this prayer. Here focusses in. look at verse 21.
john 17:21
John 17:21 (ESV)
that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
It’s so the world may believe the Gospel. That the world would believe in the Gospel. Being together here. It’s not just to be together at church. No. not just that we get along. No. it’s that we make Jesus known. To share the Gospel. We are caught up in the glory of God. we are as God’s people together to show Jesus is great in the world. The world should look at us and go wow they are different. What makes them different? they are so united. they love each other, why? It’s the Gospel. Jesus.
We genuinely loved each other. Genuinely kind. So diverse. But together around the Gospel
Brothers and sisters, here’s the point: Jesus prays not just for us. It’s about God’s glory. his greatness. Jesus is concerned for his above all else is to show God’s glory above all else. God might be rightly praised. Glorified as God. this must shape our prayers. we’re on about God’s glory. When he prayed for himself. It’s not cheap and easy for him to pray. What did it mean for him? It meant the cross. it meant his death. As we learn from Jesus, it’s not cheap and easy prayers. To pray God above all else. It’s costly. For some so hard at times.
But let me finish by encouraging us in Jesus words in verse 24.
john 17:24
Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Jesus prayed for your salvation. He prayed that you and I would be kept to the end so we might see Jesus face to face. he will keep his promise. he loves us. he will bring us home.
4. Implication
Do you see Jesus’s heart? On the night before he dies. what does he prioritize? He’s on about God’s glory. to show his Father, he is great. By dying and rising again, going back to his Father. He’s on about the Gospel, people would know him and find eternal life. he’s given us confidence. his word. it’s true. And he has given us a mission together. Our lives are about showing that Jesus is great as we work together to confidently share the Gospel.
Brothers and sisters today is so encouraging. New elders coming on to serve King Jesus. It’s the beginning of something new at Epping. Praise God. but can i tell you what’s on my heart. i think of Jesus’ prayer and I’m actually fearful. i can doubt it. i’ve been here almost 5 years and i think God is this what we are on about? sharing Jesus confidently? i’m not that good at it. That’s what plays in my mind. And at the same time I lose sleep over the fact that God calls us to have Jesus heart. To show Jesus is great by confidently working together to share the Gospel.
So i got to pray. earnestly. for my heart. for you. The time is short. We ought to be praying Jesus would bring our friends and family to know Jesus is great. To trust in his death and resurrection. that’s what is most important. friends, rather than feel guilty, as I read this passage, it encourages me. Why? Well God has answered 2 parts of these prayers.
He prays for God’s glory. and Jesus has gone to heavenly glory. that’s happened. He died and rose again. He is at God’s right hand in heaven ruling with his Father. He’s in glory. God has answered Jesus’s prayer.
And he prays God would protect his disciples. They were persecuted. They were mocked. They were executed. But the Gospel has gone out. the word is here with us. They are safe with our Lord. God has answered Jesus’s prayer.
So why do we doubt he will answer our prayers? Why? Don’t. So let’s go. let’s prayerfully be confident. This is Jesus’ heart. That we should he is great as weork together to confidently share the Gospel. Let’s do that together new elders. Let’s do that together Epping Church. God is growing us in number, yes, but lets be growing in wanting to do what Jesus wants. Show he is great by confidently sharing the Gospel together.
Let’s pray.
Pray like Jesus prayed. It’s a privilege to pray. And he’s said ask whatever you want to the Father and it will be done. To ask is to ask like Jesus asked. And what Jesus does when he prays is above all else for God’s glory – to make God shine. We pray our worries, stressors, concerns all good things. But here it’s about the glory of God – prayers that show God is great.
