The High Priestly Prayer

John 17.

UNIFIED IN PRAYER

This passage, the High Priestly Prayer, will show us the importance of unity in the Body of Christ.

We should all be encouraged to grow in our own Spiritual depth, while also leading those around us into a deeper relationship with God.

Knowing that Jesus interceded for us, then and still does to this day, should solidify our understanding of the power of prayer-

Especially during those times of deep sorrow, pain and hurts.

To truly be a part of the Body of Christ, it takes stamina, strength and faith- None of which we can muster enough of on our own.

This chapter illustrates Jesus’ role as our eternal mediator/Intercessor before God the Father

As He will soon return to His rightful place, at the right hand of God, Christ’s eternal mission will continue to be the Reconciler of Humanity back to God.

By Christ’s intercessory prayer, all believers are called to live in unity and holiness,

All the while comforted in the knowledge of Christs unfailing, never-ending support for us in Heaven.

The best place to begin any topic is at the beginning, so that is where we start:

THE SERVANT SAVIOR

John 17:1–5 ESV

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, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

Jesus, lifting up His eyes to Heaven, validates, once again, that He is always in direct communication with our Heavenly Father- As He has repeated several times, “I do nothing outside of the will of the Father...”

Their co-existence and focused mission is exemplified in the opening prayer, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you...”

And if you have ever questioned what the meaning of life is, or the purpose of eternal life - Jesus answers those questions right here:

“... this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent...”

Jesus now sets the stage for Him to assume the role of our Eternal High Priest

In ancient Israel, the High Priest played a crucial role, entering the Holy of Holies once a year to make atonement for the people.

There was a very exacting process of purification to be followed and special garments were required to be worn by the High Priest,

And he, alone was allowed to enter into the Shekinah- The very presence of the most Holy God.

Imagine the weight of that moment, the trembling hands as they offered the sacrifice, knowing that the fate of the entire nation rested on that act.

Jesus, as our High Priest, entered the heavenly sanctuary not with the blood of animals, but with His own blood, providing eternal redemption.

This powerful transition from a temporary earthly priest to our eternal High Priest brings forth tears of relief and gratitude.

Because of Jesus’ sinless life lived out for us, His Sacrificial Death, Burial and Resurrection- And finally His glorious Ascension back into Heaven, escorted by Angels...

We can now access the Throne room of God- Directly

Boldly approaching God’s presence with our prayers and petitions.

Knowing that Jesus, our Redeemer, Saviour and Friend is there to accept those prayers.

Imagine a courtroom scene where you stand accused, guilty of every charge.

Suddenly, your defense attorney stands before the judge—not just any attorney, but one who has already paid your fine. This is our reality with Jesus as our High Priest.

He stands between us and judgment, not only pleading on our behalf but having offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice.

His blood cleanses us, granting us access to a gracious God.

This picture of grace should move our hearts and draw us closer to Him.

What a comfort to all believers- And especially in times of great trials and tribulations.

But it doesnt end there- This is only the beginning:

From the Servant Saviour we move to...

OUR GOOD AND FAITHFUL SHEPHERD

John 17:6–12 ESV

“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 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. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

What a powerful set of verses:

Jesus acknowledges that GOD chose the Disciples, out of the world

They were God’s Chosen and were place in the Son’s care-

And they have been faithful

Jesus then validates that this ragtag group of men have heard Jesus’ teachings, witnessed the miracles- AND NOW BELIEVE.

They have seen the truth- And the truth has set them free.

And now some of the most impactful words in the Bible:

“I am praying for them...”

How can we not be encouraged by that?

And then Jesus petitions God the Father-

“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.

How much stronger would God’s church around the world be if we all understood and rested in the security and comfort of being kept safe in the name of God Almighty.

Would that we might find unity in that place in the community of all Christ followers.

With this in mind...We have to ask ourselves:

What practical steps can we take to embody the unity that Jesus prayed for among believers?

So far we have looked at Jesus as our High Priest and the consummate Good Shepherd...Now-

SANCTIFIED IN TRUTH

John 17:13–19 ESV

But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 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. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

Got Questions.com has an excellent definition of Sanctified:

To be sanctified is to be “set apart.”

Synonyms for sanctified are holy, consecrated, and hallowed. The Bible speaks of things being “sanctified,” such as Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:23)

and gifts to the temple (Matthew 23:17); 

days, such as the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8);

 names, such as God’s (Matthew 6:9);

and people, such as the Israelites (Leviticus 20:7–8) and Christians (Ephesians 5:26).

Jesus does not ask that God remove the Disciples from the troubles of the world, but to fill them with the Joy of the Lord.

He does not ask that they be removed from the world entirely either, but to be protected from Satan- Sanctified in Truth- The Truth of the Word of God.

Just as God the Father has sent His Son into a lost and hurting world- The Son now sends His Disciples into that same lost and hurting world.

Now consecrated by their Messiah and sanctified in Truth.

Again, Got Questions has a great explanation of Consecrated:

The Bible tells believers to be a holy people, separate from the world:

“Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you” 2 Corinthians 6:17).

Being consecrated is a critical component in our relationship to God and to those in the world...”

“In other words, as true believers in Christ, the act of consecration involves our lives being a living sacrifice to Him; we are totally separated from the defilement of the world.

Each day, we are to live out our lives as a “holy” and “royal” priesthood to the glory of God, for we are now God’s people (1 Peter 2:9-10).

Not in some puffed up way- full of ego- But bathed in Humility

The Word of God and the Words of Christ are not just informative, but should be TRANSFORMATIVE in our Christian walk.

In light of Jesus' prayer for sanctification, what does it mean to be 'in the world but not of it' for our daily living?

We are to not live as the world does, but setting ourselves apart from the rest of the world

In your home, or in the workplace, conflicts may arise that leave you feeling hurt and distant from family members or co-workers.

Remember that Jesus is our High Priest, interceding for us and showing us how to forgive.

Take time this week to pray for those you’ve had tension with. Ask Jesus to soften your heart and guide your words. Consider initiating a conversation where you both can express your feelings openly.

By leading with grace, you reflect Christ’s priestly role, fostering healing within your family.

This godly unity can only lead us to our final point.

UNITED IN LOVE

John 17:20–26 ESV

“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. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 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. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

In the time of the Exodus, the Israelites had to rely on the High Priest for intercession. Once a year during Yom Kippur, the High Priest would make sin offerings on behalf of the nation.

However, when Jesus came, He changed everything. He entered the Most Holy Place not with the blood of goats or calves, but with His own precious blood.

This act assures us that we don’t need a human mediator; we can go directly to God through Christ, who understands our struggles and empathizes with our weakness.

Up to this point Jesus has been looking at, and praying for the present time.

Now He does what only God can do:

He looks to the future.

He speaks directly into the lives of all who will believe, down through the remainder of time.

To all that will believe because of the words of the Disciples. Thats us folks.

Jesus prayed for every person that has every come the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ...Including you and me.

This only happens with Unity with the Holy Spirit and Unity in the Body of Christ.

This prayer has never ended.

Jesus’ continuing role of intercessor of our prayers, Given His love for all of humanity, That none should be lost:

Shouldnt our constant challenge, then be:

To embrace the love and Harmony that will be the shining light to our lost and dying world.

So given this High Priestly Prayer:

We must ask ourselves on a regular basis, two questions:

1- How can we actively seek God's glory in our personal lives, following the example set by Jesus in His prayer?

2- How can the imagery of Jesus as our High Priest shape our understanding of approaching God in prayer?

May the Glory of our Lord and Saviour bless and keep you all today, amen.