The Praying Savior - The Church

The Triumphal entry.

How quickly the cries of Hosanna will turn into Crucify him.

John 17:20–26 ESV

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 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. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 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. 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. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 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.”

John 17:19–25 ESV

19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. 20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 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. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 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. 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. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me.

john 17:

John 17:21–26 ESV

21 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. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 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. 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. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 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.”

Jesus prays for His church…which will be built on the His sacrifice on the cross tomorrow.

Big Idea: Be a Part of the Answer to Jesus’ Prayer

Jesus Prays for the church which will be founded on the confession of His followers that He is the Messiah and the Son of God. It started with His first disciples and is extended through all who will believe through their testimony:

The church is built on believers who confess their faith in Jesus.

Matthew 16:15–18 ESV

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16

John 17:20 ESV

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,

All of us believe because of the word of the Disciples. The book of John is the testimony of one of those He spoke of in vv. 6-19. Jesus’ work on the cross bought us a relationship with God. But Jesus’ work as High Priest continues in heaven.

Hebrews 7:25 ESV

25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 7:

All of us believe because of the word of the Disciples.

1. For His Unity in the Church (vv. 21-23)

Now we might say that this is clearly a prayer that wasn’t answered. Look at the world of Christianity: schisms, denominations, theological bickering over secondary doctrines. We can even look at the bible and see the divisions even in the early church. Where is this unity that Jesus prayed for?

Unity isn’t something you produce but something you already have.

An essential unity like Jesus has with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

We have a supernatural unity (whether we see it or not) built on indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. it is what connects us as brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.

Unity does not mean uniformity. In the Trinity there exists a unity in diversity. My guess is that we believe in all the essentials.

This unity transcends cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic lines. It also transcends time. We are to be united with the church throughout history.

We have unity, but it is also something that we should be endeavoring to protect unity in the church. We should be quick to listen and slow to speak. We should be building bridges not walls.

2. For his vision of the Church (v. 24)

The vision of the church has always been throughout history has been heaven. The resurrection has always been a central theme of the Christian faith. That’s why the disciples were so flippant with their lives; ready to die for the cause of Jesus. Even Paul said in Philippians, “To live is Christ, to die gain.” And again, “My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. ( ESV)). The proper vision of the chruch is to acknowledge that this place is not our home. We are homesick for eternity. We restless in these decaying bodies longing for our heavenly home in the presence of Jesus. Jesus prays that we will one day be with Him for eternity.

Many of us have a vision for here but not a vision for eternity. We build kingdoms for ourselves on earth rather than submitting to the king of the universe. We build up storehouses for our earthly possessions rather than making investments into eternal thing. Is it possible that the church was meant to prepare people, not to have your best life now, but for eternity?

When we keep our focus on heaven, we learn to put aside our earthly disagreements on secondary issues. Not essentials. Remember that disciples were ready to die for the essentials! They could have easily compromised on the essential doctrines and lived.

3. For His love for the church (vv. 25-26)

Preaching the Word: John—That You May Believe Christ’s Eternal Vow to the Church (vv. 25–26)

Jesus closes his prayer with a vow to the Father, but it is also a promise to us. He will continue to make his name (meaning all that he is) known to us and also will be increasing the Father’s love in us. That is his sovereign vow, and it will be our continuing experience. Blessed be his name!

Some will experience more of this in this life than others. Why? They clearly see the passion of Christ’s earthly prayer for his church and perceive their duty to draw near to him, feed on his Word, and humbly serve one another. May we be part of the answer to our Savior’s prayer!

It should by this time go without saying that Jesus loves His church. He died to make the Church a beautiful picture of His love. It’s the same love that the Father has for the Son and the Holy Spirit has for the Father. It’s an eternal love.

Everything is mirrored after the the relationship of the Trinity.

This is why Jesus said, love others as I have loved you. Our love for others in the Church actually reflects on the divine love of God. When people who don’t necessary have anything in common other than their love for Jesus, that reflects the love of God.

Of course when we fight over petty things and find reasons to hate people, that reflects the ways of the world.

Remember that love does not mean letting people do whatever they want or walk all over us. Jesus call out sin and hypocrisy as well as flipped some tables in the temple. Sometimes love means telling someone the brutal truth.

Conclusion:

The question is always, did God answer Jesus’ prayer? The answer is absolutely yes. 2000 years later, the church is going strong. No it’s not perfect, but it’s thriving. And there are millions of followers all over the world.

Reflection: What can you do to be a part of the answer to Jesus’ prayer?

Share your faith with your kids.

Follow Jesus.

Be a part of the chain of people sharing Jesus with the next generation of believers.

Share Jesus with your kids.

Share Jesus with a friend.

Invite someone to church to meet Jesus.