Jesus Praying For Us Series

The Real Lord’s Prayer

John 17:11-19

March 17, 2013

At the end of an interview, the person from human resources asked an engineering graduate, “What starting salary were you looking for?”

The engineer excitedly said, “In the neighborhood of $125,000 a year, plus a benefit package.”

The interviewer added, “Well, what would you say to a package of 5 weeks vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical and dental, a company matching retirement fund to 25% of salary, and a new company car every year?”

The Engineers eyes were wide open as he shouted, “Wow! Are you kidding?”

And the interviewer matter of factly said, “Yeah, but you started it.”

Have you ever heard someone make a statement that just seemed absolutely ridiculous? Maybe it was a prediction or a guarantee about something. Kind of like the world was going to end on December 12, 2012. Or the threat of Y2K, remember that scare? Maybe it’s saying the Cubs will win in 2013!

What about the statement from Jesus in His prayer in John 17, when Jesus had the audacity to make the prayer request, “that the disciples may have the full measure of my joy within them.”

How can He make that statement? Think about what Jesus went through. The pain, the suffering, the rejection, the abandonment, the beating, the frustration, the hatred. I don’t get it? Do you? How can Jesus make the statement that He wanted the full measure of His joy to be within the disciples?

That’s a pretty amazing and profound statement

For the past 2 weeks, we’ve been looking at the prayer Jesus prayed the night He was betrayed and arrested. He prayed for Himself, the disciples and us. Last week we started looking at the prayer for the disciples and today we’ll finish it. Let’s look at John 17:11-19 ~

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.

13 “I am coming to You now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that THEY MAY HAVE THE FULL MEASURE OF MY JOY WITHIN THEM.

14 I have given them Your word and the world has HATED, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.

15 My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You PROTECT them from the evil one.

16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 SANCTIFY them by the truth; Your word is truth.

18 As You sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

There’s a common theme running through this passage. Jesus knows the disciples believe in Him, they trust Him, even though they still don’t get it. They’re going to prove their faithfulness after the resurrection by their commitment and allegiance to Jesus. They won’t back down to the Roman and Jewish authorities. They stand firm and convinced in their faith. Jesus knows what’s coming for Him and what’s coming for them.

It’s not going to be an easy trip. There are going to be roadblocks, detours, sinkholes, danger, assassins, lying, deceit, and more. It sounds like I’m talking about Black Ops 3, or some other video game. But that was the reality for the disciples. Their leader had protected them, but now it was time to journey out on their own. He wouldn’t be with them, and yet, He would, but they still didn’t get that either! Which in all honesty is part of the beauty and power of the Gospel story and the story of the disciples.

So, Jesus prays, 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.

Jesus knows the reality of what will happen, He will remain in the world no longer. He will be going to the cross, He will die, but He will ultimately join the Father in heaven.

While alive, Jesus was able to help the disciples through the difficult moments. He knew how to get out of situations which looked hopeless. He had some of those James Bond or Jason Bourne abilities to always get away, until it was time not to get away. Now the disciples won’t have Jesus with them. So, He prays, not just to the Father, but this is the only time He prays to the HOLY Father. This captures God’s power and tenderness. It balances the idea of ultimate purity with intimate paternity. He is mighty and majestic and He is also my daddy.