The Gospel of John

John 17

The High Priestly Prayer

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         This prayer of Jesus concluded His final words to the Eleven, and perhaps at the Garden.

2.         We can imagine Jesus lifting His eyes heavenward, arms raised, the common form of prayer among the Jews, and speaking so all could hear.

3.         Jesus appears to be repeating certain phrases and concepts making it easier for His hearers to retain the message.

4.         In the first part, verses 1 to 5, Jesus emphasizes the nature of eternal life. To know the Father is to have eternal life, since this knowing depends on the inner working of the Holy Spirit. Glory, referring to being in the presence of God or in fellowship with God, is key throughout the prayer.

5.         Verses 6 to 19 have a number of key elements, and one is that the Father has given Jesus’ followers to Him, and here we see the emphasis on God’s choosing or election. 

6.         Jesus is speaking as though all His work has been accomplished already, though it is still in front of Him, it will be done.

7.         Another emphasis here is that the Father keeps us from the “evil one” and indeed the follower of Jesus is “sanctified” meaning set aside or apart, and this through the Spirit.

8.         In the last segment, verses 20 to 26, Jesus speaks of those who will believe in Him through their “word.” This word is, in the Greek, Logos and is the core theme of the entire Gospel. (see John 1:1)

9.         The “oneness” of the Triune God and the oneness of the believer with the Father and the Son is emphasized. And there is so much more.