Turn to John chapter 17, focusing on verses 20 through 26. Here, we witness Jesus, on the brink of His arrest and crucifixion, earnestly praying to His Father. Initially, He prays for Himself, then for His disciples, and finally for all future believers—those who would come to faith through the apostles’ teachings. This last section is our focus today, where we uncover Jesus’ deepest desires for us, His followers.
In verse 20, Jesus expands His prayer beyond His immediate disciples, saying, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word.” He’s talking about us—those who would believe in Him through the apostolic teachings. The apostles were given the mission to spread the gospel to all nations, and by extension, we too are disciples with the same command.
Jesus’ prayer reveals three profound desires He has for us:
First, He prays for our unity. In verses 21 and 23, He says, “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” Jesus longs for us to be united as He and the Father are united. This unity is not just for our benefit but serves a greater purpose—that the world may believe in Jesus’ divine mission. The oneness Jesus desires comes from the glory given to Him by the Father, which He now bestows upon us, enabling us to be one just as They are one.
Second, Jesus desires that we behold His glory. In verse 24, He prays, “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me.” Jesus wants us to witness His glory and be with Him in His eternal kingdom. This glory, which existed before the foundation of the world, signifies the eternal splendor and majesty of Christ, a glory He shares with us.
Third, Jesus desires that we be loved by the Father. In verse 23, He expresses this by saying, “I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” The Father’s love for us is profound and unconditional, just as His love for Jesus. This love was manifested by sending His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
In response to this prayer, our duties become clear:
1. Walk in Unity: We must strive to preserve the unity of the Spirit and uphold the doctrines taught by the apostles. This unity is crucial for demonstrating to the world the truth of Jesus’ mission and God’s love.
2. Walk in Faith: As warned in Hebrews 3:12-14, we must guard against a heart of unbelief, remaining steadfast in our faith despite Satan’s attempts to lead us astray. By holding firm, we partake in Christ’s glory and promise of eternal life.
3. Walk in Love: Jesus calls us to keep His commandments as an expression of our love for Him. By imitating God and demonstrating love through obedience, we fulfill one of the greatest commandments.
Reflect on Jesus’ prayer and its implications for your life. Are you doing your part to ensure His desires are fulfilled? Strive to walk in unity, faith, and love, embodying the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. As we do so, we not only honor Jesus’ prayer but also experience the fullness of God’s love and fellowship in our lives.
