John

Lesson 16John 17:1-26

Bible

We now begin the study of the very last hours of Jesus’ life, as the time of his crucifixion approaches. Having just completed a long period of teaching in the Upper Room, Jesus closes with a prayer; and then leads the disciples across the Kidron valley to the Garden of Gethsemane. There, he will be arrested and eventually turned over to Pilate (who will find no fault with him); and yet later that day, he will be crucified.

Let’s read through John Chapter 17 and consider the following:

  1. Many refer to the prayer in John 17 as the Lord’s Prayer, because, as we will see, he prays for God to glorify him, and he prays for both his disciples and for us; and most importantly he prays to do God’s will, not his own. It is a great prayer, and one that we can learn much from. Read John 17:1-5. What does Jesus mention that God has given him, and how long does he say that he has had the glory with God? (See also John 14:6, John 1:1-5, and Colossians 1:15-16.)
  2. In John 16:6-19, we observe Jesus turning the focus of his prayer to that of praying for his disciples. What can we learn about the disciples from this portion of prayer? List each thing that you can identify about the disciples from this text.
  3. Jesus completes his prayer in John 17:20-26. Who is he praying for in this section of his prayer?
  4. Finally, in these last verses of John Chapter 17, what do we note specifically that Jesus prays for regarding all those "who will believe?"

Jesus’ prayer in John 17 is profound and offers us many insights into his relationship with God, his relationship with the Apostles, and his relationship with us today. Jesus has an eternal plan—a plan that existed before he created the world.

Furthermore, in spite of our sin, through his great grace he included we who follow Christ in it. It is also evident that Jesus knew that more would come seeking him long after his death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. He knew that you and I would be among those people, and he prayed for us that fateful evening just prior to his betrayal and arrest. He loved us even unto death, and continues to love us to this day. What a Savior we serve! How great should be our love for him, just as his love is abundant for us.

As you live your life, let the love of Christ shine through you in everything that you do; doing it as unto the Lord, so that more will come to know Jesus as their personal savior, just as we do today.

Thanks for studying with us.

In Christ,

Wes

[2018]

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