John 17:7-12

⁷ Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you.⁸ For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.⁹ I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.¹⁰ All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.¹¹ I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.¹² While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

“they believed you sent me …”

The Scripture for today is a remarkable one, a prayer of Jesus that John hears and records. (Perhaps it might be called a discussion between Jesus and the Father on behalf of his disciples.) Jesus makes it clear that his disciples now know with certainty that everything God has given Jesus comes from God, indeed they know that Jesus himself came from God. Jesus asks God to protect the disciples by the power of God’s name so that they might be one (as Jesus and God are one).

Jesus’ prayer is not about us; that comes later in the text. This text is about the disciples. Yet, certainly it has lessons for us too. What are some of those lessons?

• First, we have proof from eyewitnesses (John and the other disciples) who know that Jesus and the Father are one. Jesus is Lord.
• Second, we see the importance of prayer. Jesus, hours before his death, communicates naturally with a “transition to-do” list for God. Prayer is important.
• Third, Jesus transfers the protection that he offered the disciples to God. We see that the promises Christ makes will be fulfilled by the Father. God keeps his promises.
• Fourth, the name of Christ and God is extremely powerful. When we use that name, we are protected.
• Fifth, God wants his disciples to be united: to be one. Unity is more than just “getting along,” presumably this is Christ’s desire for his church. We should strive for unity.
• Sixth, evil is real and humans need protection from it. Pray for protection.
• Seventh, the understanding of Scripture is critical for our understanding of God. What we read in the Old Testament is fulfilled in the life of Jesus. The betrayal by Judas Iscariot is foretold – and also is part of God’s plan. The cross and the empty tomb are foretold and are also a part of that plan. Read the Scriptures to help know God’s plan for you.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you that you were on earth long enough to instruct your disciples. Thank you that through them, we know about you too. And thank you that you have a plan for our lives where you have taken our fate upon yourself on the cross so that we too can enjoy the empty tomb of the resurrection! Amen.