Prayers in the Night
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Jesus’ Prayer for You
Jesus’ Prayer for You
Yesterday I was part of a funeral. I was there to support one of my best friends and to celebrate the life of his late father. As many of you who have experienced the passing of a loved one… it was a very emotional time. While I was there I heard the same phrase over and over. “We are praying for you.”
It’s very comforting to know that people are praying for you, isn’t it?
To some people it could actually mean a variety of things. To my family, hopefully it is a comfort when I pray with them at bed time or as I’m helping them through other kinds of situations...
It’s interesting that the phrase, “I’ll pray for you” doesn’t always express what we think it does.
When we were in Ukraine, if someone asked you something and you said, I”ll pray about it. To them, that was American slang for.... no. I don’t want to do that.
When someone tells you… hey I’m praying for you… while it is a wonderful gesture… have you ever wondered what exactly are they praying? How often? Are they praying for the same outcome that you are praying for? Wouldn’t you like to know?
As I meditated and studied this week, I was confronted with the need for prayer. How do we pray for one another? Are we really praying for one another? Definitely a burden on my heart that we pray for one another more often, more intentionally… and more passionately.
As comforting as it is to know that people are praying for you… how much more would it mean if you knew that Jesus Himself was praying for you?
Today, as we study God’s Word we will be given a glimpse into the reality that Jesus has prayed for us.... and He even share with us the content of his prayer.... how He prays for us.
For some time now we have been dropping in on Jesus and his disciples as they share one last meal
together in an upper room. Jesus has just spent the entire evening talking with his disciples around the supper table. They have laughed… they have cried…. there have been moments of sorrow and there have been moments of joy. As we open our bibles to chapter 17 of John’s Gospel, the events that happened in an upper room are coming to a close.
Out of everything that Jesus could have done to prepare for what was getting ready to happen.... He chose to pray. The last thing Jesus does with his disciples in the upper room before beginning his lonely ascent to the cross…. is pray with them…. but most importantly, Jesus prays for them.
I hope you took the opportunity to read through chapter 17 ahead of time before you came today. It's an amazing conversation between God the Father and God the Son that has been preserved for us In God’s Word.
Let’s take a few moments and prayerfully meditate on Jesus’ words as we listen in on this divine conversation between Son and Father. If you are able, will you stand with me out of reverence for God’s Word?
Stephen
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.
Cody
“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.
Nate
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.
Before we continue, let’s stop for a moment and just reflect on all that Jesus has just expressed through this heavenly prayer.
As Jesus prays, he reveals that God has given His word so that mankind can believe.... and then all those that believe He has given to Christ...., Jesus says that God has already glorified him and will soon glorify him again. Jesus shares that He has made the holy name of God known to the world and that He has received the Word, this divine revelation from God, and has deposited it into the disciples, who have already responded in faith and believed! They have become part of God’s possession and Christ is not only being glorified by the Father, but Christ is actually being glorified through those who believe as they respond in faith and multiply that faith throughout the world.
In Jesus’ prayer for his disciples He asks God the Father to keep them from sin, to help them to be unified as the Word of God actively works in their hearts and is fulfilled in their lives. Christ asks the Father to sanctify his followers… to change them to be more like Christ... through the truth of the Word as they are sent out into the world to actively continue the ministry of reconciliation that Christ has begun.
As you listen Christ praying for his disciples… you can’t help but hear and feel the dedication and love that Christ has for all those who believe.
Like the high priest would stand in the holy of holies on the day of atonement, praying for the people of Israel and the soon coming of the Messiah....In a similar way, Jesus, the Messiah Himself, at this last supper is standing as the eternally perfect great high priest and is praying, petitioning, and interceding before God the Father on behalf of his followers. — Let that wash over you and sink in…
As Christ prepares for the darkest night in human history…. he prays. Who does he pray for? He prays for his disciples.
Jesus is getting ready to be betrayed, arrested, punished for crimes he did not commit…. give his life on the cross for sins that are not his own….. and in the moments before it all starts… what does he do? He prays…. not for himself…. but for others….
There is a lesson to be learned even in that thought…. in our moments of deepest need…. what do we usually do? Often we think of ourselves… how the moment will impact us… how we are in pain or enduring hardships. If we are to live our lives modeled after Christ and his life, then even during the times that seem the darkest… when the darkness of night seems to never lift…. we are to pray… not for ourselves only... but for those individuals who will be impacted by our lives and deaths. The elders and I have been discussing our desire to provide a time when our church can pray together. We are still discussing the details… whether in person… or via zoom. We’ll be sharing some thoughts about that soon and hope that those who are able will join us for a time of corporate prayer together.
Jesus’ prayer is not finished, we still have 6 more verses to dig into. As Jesus is praying, something interesting happens. As He prays for his disciples.... the object of his prayer suddenly shifts … his prayer shifts from focusing on those in the upper room with him to another group of people who would one day be with him. Let’s continue reading together in verse 20.
“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.”
As Jesus’ prayer shifts to include each and every person who would trust in Christ and bear the title of disciple, let’s take a look at the content of Jesus’ prayer. Yes, he prayed for you.. but what did he pray? Through the end of Jesus’ prayer in John 17, we are going see that Jesus’ prayer is primarily a prayer for unity.
I. A prayer for unity (20-23)
Don’t miss what just happened in verse 20.... As Jesus prays he doesn’t ask everything he prayed in verses 1-19 for the disciples alone… but for “those who will believe in me through their word”.
Ok, let’s stop and ask some good questions here.
Who are “these only”? the disciples
What about the phrase, “believe in me through their word”.... whose word? “their” is referring back to the disciples.
To paraphrase Jesus; words… ‘I do not ask for the apostles only, but for those who will be in be through the apostles word.
Now, who are those who will believe in Christ through the words of the disciples? Us!
Anyone that became a Christian after hearing the gospel preached, shared, or written by those whom God had passed on His word to… and anyone else who faithfully preaches the Word of God passed down to us (This is exactly what Paul writes about happening in 2 Tim. 1:13-14 & 2:1-2 … treasure deposited into the disciples… then they took that treasure and passed it on to faithful believers who would keep that process going.... )
So, according to verse 20… Jesus is praying for anyone who has heard and been confronted with the Word of God.. and has responded in faith and believed. That means, if you have responded in faith to Christ… then 2000 years ago… Jesus’ prayer included you!
As Jesus and the disciples clean up from supper…. Jesus prays….. not for himself… but for you… for everyone who would be impacted by his life and death.
The amazing reality that we need to grab hold of is that all of the prayers and petitions that Jesus has just made for his disciples in verses 1-19 are now being transferred to each one of us.
Just imagine that.... 2000 years ago in an unknown upper room... Christ Jesus… the Creator, Sustainer, and Sovereign Lord of the universe… on the eve of his crucifixion.... would take time to pray for you.
This is an amazing reality to grasp.
So, Jesus is praying for the disciples and each one of us.... but, what is he praying for us?
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.
There are 9 references to some kind of expression of togetherness or unity in these 3 verses. Our unity as Christians seems pretty important to Jesus.
There are so many things that have the potential to divide. There are so many traps that we can fall into that will breed division in the church. The phrase “election year” is enough to cause Christians to divide over their preferences This year, we have the “privilege” of having Coronavirus here to help things things run more smoothly! Ha!
True unity is something that is growing more and more scarce in the church today.
Did you realize that it is possible for us as a church to disagree on certain things and still have unity?
How is that possible? How can we disagree and still have unity? It depends upon what our unity is based. If our unity is based on our political party… then it will only run as deep as your candidates character. If our unity is based on preferences or social agendas… then that unity is destined to change and be torn apart by the winds of change.
But, if our unity is based on something that is unchangeable and immovable… then that is a unity that will last. So, what is our unity based on as Christians?
Look at verse 20,
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
Our unity is rooted in our belief in Christ and based on the Word of God. As the Apostles wrote and taught the Word of God… people believed… the church grew.... and now has reached to us… in 2020… where people are still being drawn to faith in Christ through the faithful preaching, teaching, and sharing of the Word of God.
The unity that Jesus describes in verses 21-22 must be based on our faith in Christ and His Inspired Word.
In verses 21-23, Jesus describes the unity that he desires for His church.
Jesus prayed that we (members of his body… his church) would have the same kind of unity as Jesus has with the Father. Christ prays that we would have a supernatural unity which is modeled by God himself. In verse 23, Jesus says that his desire is that we “may become perfectly one”.
That word “perfectly” comes from a word that means to reach the intended goal.. to finish a work… to be complete. So, what kind of unity does Christ desire for those who believe in Him?
A completely finished perfect unity!
How is that possible? We are fallen and flawed human beings. It’s hard for us to come together and be unified about what color to paint the walls and what kind of carpet to order for the floors.... how in the world will all of us be able to have a unity that Christ calls “perfect”?
It is possible because as Christians we are united by something far greater than ourselves.
As believers we share a divine nature… we have a common bond founded on the Word of God which never changes and we are secured in the Character of God which also never changes.
How do we grow in our unity? How can we truly draw closer to one another and live out the model of this perfect unity that exists in the Godhead?
It doesn’t happen simply by getting closer to each other and by doing more activities together. If we base our unity on our activities, opinions, likes, dislikes, personalities, and personal relationships… then we’ll soon find out that while we may talk about loving each other in the Lord.... we don’t really like each other all that much.
Our unity and true fellowship has to be based on something greater than ourselves. It is based in God and on His Word. If we want to grow in our unity.... then we have to stop focusing so much on getting closer to other people and convincing them to agree with us and pour our energy into drawing closer to Christ.
The closer we get to Jesus… the closer we will be drawn to one another.
[triangle illustration — commitment to God and a close relationship with Him will give you a closer more intimate relationship with your spouse, friends, children,… ]
Christian unity is unique because it comes from God’s nature and is only truly experienced as we draw closer to Christ.
When Jesus prayed 2000 years ago… you were included in his prayer. He prayed that we as believers would be one.... completely unified just like Jesus is with the Father. That is a perfect unity that is hard for us to even understand. Yet, Christ prays that we might be unified in the same way… to the same degree that God the Father and God the Son are unified!
The word unity is coming up a lot today. Let’s make sure we clarify what unity means.
Christ’s prayer for unity doesn’t mean that we should all be same. Too often we make the mistake of confusing unity with uniformity.
Right? Many times we feel like we should be just like other Christians… carry the same Bible.. read the same books, have the same styles, listen to the same music, educate our children the same way… share all of the same exact opinions, likes, and dislikes.
That is not unity… that is uniformity. When we are called to follow Christ… we are called to model our lives after him… not become a corporation of Christian clones.
Actually, the idea of uniformity… insisting that others be just like us… is one of the most dis-unifying things that can happen in the church.
When uniformity is enforced it creates a judgmental and inflexible culture and actually pushes people away from the church instead of welcoming them in.
One of the most beautiful truths of the gospel is that it celebrates our individuality and diversity while bringing us to true unity.
Paul’s teaches on unity without uniformity — 1 Cor. 12:4-6
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.
When Jesus prayed for our unity as believers… he was connecting all of us back to the Apostles.
Jesus prays that there would be a continuity between the church of the 1st century and the church of every other century that follows. Jesus prays that the church’s faith would not change but stay faithful to the teaching of the apostles.... to the Word of God.
Christ prays is a unity that only comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit and draws us closer to God as we are strengthened in His Word.
Here is an empowering and exciting thought I read this week.
“We are never closer to one another than when our hearts are genuinely focused on God.” (Hughes)
Why does Jesus want us to have unity? There are a lot of theological and practical reasons. But the reason Jesus gives here in verse 23 is missions.... in our backyards and around the world.
As Jesus prays for our expanding unity… he shares that our unity will lead to a multiplied witness.
Look at the end of verse 23,
“… so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”
Our unity as believers… will enable the multiplication of our witness in our community.
Our unity as a church will help to enable the multiplication of our witness around the world.
Our unity will be a platform that when showcased before the world … some will believe the truth about who Jesus is and what He has done for them.
When the church has true unity then unbelievers in the world are drawn to Christ.
(Liberia: if you people can’t agree… then why should we listen to you)
We live in an increasingly divided world… and Unity is absolutely necessary for evangelism
One author said, “Divisions in the church breed atheism in the world” (Thomas Manton).
When we are divided in the church we are, more or less, expressing to the world that God is not at the center of our focus… and therefore does not exist.
If that is true… then the opposite is also true.
Unity in the church builds belief in the world. That is what Christ is praying here in chapter 17.
Unity in the church is a oneness in truth and spirit that comes by drawing close to Christ and the outpouring of that true unity.... is love.
There is a huge contrast between the divine love driven unity that Christ desires for us with the worlds attempt…
French sociologist, Jacques Ellul in his book The Meaning of the City, says that “the driving force behind ancient history was the desire to come together and advance in the face of disunity. Thus the rise of the city. However, he says, with the formation of cities came the practice of laying the foundation stone on the body of a human sacrifice, a practice, he says, we moderns have replaced with the sacrifice of millions of souls.”
The world’s attempts to come together without God are always at the expense of human life. (Hughes)
The world’s pursuit of true unity is futile. but when true genuine unity is demonstrated, it is irresistible.
Real unity between Christians is a supernatural work, and it points to a supernatural explanation.... Jesus Christ in us!
In verse 23, when Jesus says… “so that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them even as you loved me.” That is a pretty profound statement. “Even as you loved me.”
The word translated “even as” in verse 23 could also be translated “just as” or “to the same degree that”.
So, what is Jesus saying? A better question may be… what is Jesus not saying?.... (Jesus is not saying...I love Veronica 95% because she is awesome.... but Stephen.... eh… maybe 35%)..
No, Jesus is saying that God loves those who belong to Christ to the same degree… or in the exact same way that he loves Christ.
Christian!!! God loves you in the same exact way that He loved Jesus. Why?
Because we belong to Jesus. What an amazingly incredible comfort to our hearts and souls.
When the world sees our unity in Christ fueled by the divine love of God.... our witness will multiply....
As we are unified together in Christ… under the banner of King Jesus’ gospel… those in the world that God is drawing to Himself will come to see and understand the gospel… and they will understand that God loves them.... in the same way that He loves His own Son!
Christ’s prayer for his church is for unity.... unity in truth, in agreement with the apostles teaching in the church, and unity in spirit.... promoted by our walk with God as we strive for spiritual maturity. Our unity with Christ… creates unity between each of us which is demonstrated as we work at humbly serve one another.
Let’s talk about Marriage. That should be one of the best examples of unity we have.
How many of us got married… and found that as soon as we said “ I Do” that we immediately became perfectly unified together about everything? Ok.... once the honeymoon was over… still unified?
True unity doesn’t just happen.... we have to work at it.
Guys, when you married your wife… when you became one in Christ through marriage, there was a commitment to oneness.... and it is an ongoing commitment to communicate, to share your soul, to spend time together, to have the deepest relationship possible in body, soul and spirit.
That kind of relationship is absolutely wonderful.... but, sadly many people don’t ever attain that kind of unity in their marriage. Why? — It’s not because they don’t want it… no it is because they are not committed to work for it… with God’s help.
The same is true with the unity of believers in this world. We must commit to do the work.... we must be commited to the Word of God.... to the faith.... we must commit to humbly serve one another.
Then.... as we work at maintaining the unity we already have in Christ.... the world will take notice… and be drawn to Christ as the gospel is highlighted in our words and actions.
Application/ Conclusion
As Jesus closes his prayer he expresses his desire for his people that flows from the unity that we have in Him.
It’s amazing that while Jesus is getting ready to face the worst night of his life… he is not only praying for us… but he is able to see what lies beyond the cross. Jesus wants us to be with him. He wants for us to see his glory!
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.
As Jesus closes his prayer, he is sharing with the Father that as a result of this work he is preparing to do on the cross, his desire is that you and I would be secure in our salvation and be with him in glory!
Jesus wants us to be with him in heaven.. and it will happen for all who have truly trusted Christ as their Savior and Lord.
We have talked a lot about unity this morning. What are some truths we can take home with us today based on our study?
Knowing God and being known by God grants the gift of Christ’s love and security.
True unity in Christ multiplies our witness for Christ, provides the security of Christ, and is fueled by the divine love of Christ.
Christian, don’t miss the truth that God loves you just like He loves Jesus.... Jesus has secured your place in heaven with Him..... He has called us to be unified in Christ and because of our unity in Christ He expects us to be unified with one another..... so that the world will be given an opportunity to believe!
That is why we are here! What is the biblical mandate as the church? What have we been commanded to do?
Multiply Disciples.... its simple. (The elders and I have been brainstorming about how to update our vision statement to help our church re-focus on the mission Christ has given us.. — and when it comes down to it.... what are we called to as Christians?
We are called to be transformed into the image of Christ and to multiply disciples.
Transformation through Multiplication: How do we do that? Make Disciples
Our Holy Spirit empowered… Gospel focused unity… is a huge part of accomplishing the mission that Jesus has commanded.
As the musicians come and prepare to lead us in a song of reflection… take a moment and meditate on the truths of God’s Word this morning. Ask God how He wants you to respond. How can you grow in your unity with Christ? Do you believe? Is there something holding you back from committing fully to Christ? Is there something stopping you from being unified with this body of believers?
If God is working in your heart… don’t ignore that. As we sing… if you have a need… we are here to help. Please don’t leave today without talking with myself or one of the elders about what God is doing in your heart and life.
— Pray —