John 17:20-26

August 29th, 2019

Jesus prayed not only for his disciples but for all those who would come to God through His word made flesh. God so loved the world that He made a way through Jesus Christ for any who seek Him to find Him and abide in  Him. In Him and through Him and in the unity given by the Holy Spirit we receive life. A  gift so precious and pure that we will never be able to totally understand this unconditional love of a Father for His creation until we are raised again.

If we hold up the love that is given to the world in Jesus Christ the entire world will be drawn to Christ.

Jesus not only prayed for those the Father had given Him  but for all future believers—for their unity  and their future glory. If you are a believer, these words are Jesus’ prayer for you. The revelation of Jesus Christ through His disciples, is the means to unity. Such unity begins with belief and correct thinking about Jesus and God the Father, that is, with doctrine. But correct belief must bear fruit—a life that demonstrates God’s love and produces the unity between all the believers.

The mutual indwelling of the Father in the Son and the Son in the church is also the means to unity, the ultimate expression of God’s love. Christ prayed for all believers to behold His glory, unveiled in the full revelation of His deity.

John 17:20–26 (NKJV): “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 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. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 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.“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; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

John 4:39 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.”

John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

John 17:8 For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.

John 17:11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.