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JOHN - The Light Shines in the Darkness
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to John
PART 3 - Light Shines in the Circle of the Apostles (John 11:55 - 17:26)
E - Jesus' Intercessory Prayer (John 17:1-26)

3. Jesus intercedes for his apostles (John 17:6-19)


JOHN 17:9-10
9 I pray for them. I don’t pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All things that are mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.

Jesus’ prayer was for everyone who believed in God the Father, united with the Son through the eternal ages. Here in his farewell prayer Jesus did not pray for the whole world, since mankind refused the Lord’s Spirit, and chose judgment for themselves. Jesus accorded his love and care to his Church and the elect of God. Christianity does not recognize a worldwide Church taking in all mankind, for the Church is composed only of the multitude of the believers, chosen out of all peoples. Therefore the church is distinct, selected and purified, because it represents the first fruits of Christ’s death.

Jesus did not lay claim to a special possession for himself, but repeatedly witnessed that they were a special possession of his Father, even though the Father had granted them to him. The Son remained humble, and submitted his own to the Father in prayer.

Jesus acknowledged that he was being glorified in those who trusted him, whereas we rush to criticize and say that our Churches are weak and a scandal to Christ; he probes more deeply than this. The Father sees us in the light of the cross. He poured out His Spirit into believers through the Son. This spiritual outpouring was proof of the efficacy of the cross. Christ did not die in vain, but the Holy spirit the lives of the believers produces much fruit. Thus every rebirth brings glory to Christ.

JOHN 17:11
11 I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are.

Christ was returning to his Father, assured that this was to occur, even though the betrayer was approaching with a band of soldiers to entrap him. Jesus could see beyond his death, his Father’s glory, prophesying, "I am no longer in the world", though he was still in the world.

Jesus considered the world as a wide river with its waters rushing with greater speed, occasionally turning into a waterfall tumbling from a height. Christ was swimming against the stream, and reversed the human tide. He knew that his disciples would not find the power to oppose evil. So he asked his Father to keep his loved ones in his name.

In his petition, Jesus used a unique phrase "O Holy Father". In the face of the world’s massive evils, the Son witnessed to the Father’s holiness who is blameless, guileless and faultless. God the Father is pure and holy. His holiness is the garment of His love which is the radiance of His glory.

Thus God’s holy name is a refuge where the disciples find shelter from the dominion of the tempter. He who lives in Christ, lives in the Father. He who abides in the Son, abides in the Father. God’s fatherhood assures His children that He will keep them in his providence and protection. Satan cannot snatch them from the Father’s hand.

The condition that assures their protection is that they do not live in hatred and strife, but they forgive daily with a constant love. This love does not spring from man himself, but whoever abides in the love of the Holy Trinity receives power, patience and love for others. Christ asked his Father to keep us in His fellowship, to be one with him always as the Son is one with his Father: This saying is not a dogmatic analysis or a theoretical description for our relation with God, rather Jesus’ farewell request was answered by the Father. Our faith is not arrogant or mystical; it is the fruit of Jesus’ prayer and his suffering for us.

JOHN 17:12-13
12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name. Those whom you have given me I have kept. None of them is lost, except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I come to you, and I say these things in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves.

By patience and insight Jesus kept his disciples from Satan’s temptations, despite their diverse characters. He said to Peter, "Satan has desired to grab you, but I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not." So our faith survives because of his intercession, and we are saved by grace alone.

This ability to keep his followers was withdrawn from Judas for his surrender to the Spirit of destruction and resisting the Spirit of truth. He became a son of perdition. Our heavenly Father does not force anyone to receive the gift of adoption. He knows what is in the hearts of people and the course of events beforehand, so that even Judas’ betrayal had been recorded in the Old Testament a thousand years before it took place. Nevertheless, Judas remains responsible for rejection of Christ’s concern for him. Our mighty God is no dictator but a wise Father; an aspect of his love is the gift of freedom to humans, just as earthly fathers allow their mature children freedom to be responsible.

Jesus saw his way to the Father as a lighted path amidst the gloom. Neither Satan, nor sin, nor death were able to deter his return to God. The Son was ever holy, and for that reason joy filled his being. Sin did not gnaw at his conscience. Fear did not overshadow his prayers. The Son was free and guarded by his Father, always obedient. Our God is the Lord of joy and gladness. Jesus besought his Father for this divine gladness to pervade the hearts of his disciples. He did not wish his followers to be sorrowful, rather he wanted them to be full of bliss and cheer, that the joy of heaven might be theirs, despite living in the midst of the world’s gloom and despair. Joy for pardon and thanksgiving for our place in God’s family are the fruit of Christ’s supplication on our behalf.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for interceding for us with the Father. We praise you for keeping us in faith through your supplications for us. We worship you for your pleasure in us. Your presence and the Father’s Spirit bestows life and riches on us spiritually, and eternal blessedness. We thank you for your prayers for us; we live by your intercession.

QUESTION:

  1. What does our protection in the Father’s name signify?

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