Jesus' High Priestly Prayer (Part 3) Series

JESUS’ HIGH PRIESTLY PRAYER

(Part 3 – Jesus’ Prayer For His Church)

John 17:20-26

In John 15 Jesus called the Disciples His friends. Because they were His friends He prayed for them. Ultimately Jesus would lay down His life for His friends. John chapter 17 is truly a beautiful passage, but as we continue to read further we will see something even more beautiful and that is the fact that Jesus prayed for us as well. Furthermore, He continues to make requests to the Father on our behalf today!

- Now that we have examined Jesus’ Prayer For Himself and Jesus’ Prayer For His Disciples, we are confronted with the beautiful reality that Jesus prayed for us! Let’s transition to the final main section of Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer and consider:

I. JESUS’ PRAYER FOR HIS CHURCH

Several years ago I went to the hospital to visit with and elderly friend. I knew before entering his room that the prognosis was not good and the doctors were only giving him days to live. Upon entering the room I could tell that He was tired and ready to go to his Heavenly home. However, in spite of his pain he was thrilled to see me. We talked and visited for a while and before I left I approached his bedside to pray with him, but before I could begin praying for him, he grabbed my hand and began to pray for me, my family, my ministry and our church. I was overwhelmed with emotion that this man who was fighting for his life, selflessly prayed for me.

It is so special to know that someone cares enough about us to take time out of their day and go before the throne and cry out to God on our behalf. Even more special is the fact that Jesus had us in mind when He prayed His High Priestly Prayer.

An old song says “When He was on the cross, I was on His mind”; that is certainly true but the reality is that we were on His mind long before He ever made it to the Cross. God tells us in His Word that He had a plan for our redemption even before the world was formed. Our selected text reveals the fact that we were on Jesus’ mind as He cried out to God on the eve of the Crucifixion.

Beginning in verse 20 Jesus begins to pray for His Church, He prays for all Believers throughout the ages. I cannot put into words just how humbling it is to know that Jesus cared enough to pray for us. Furthermore, it is such an amazing comfort to know that as our High Priest He is still praying for us today. While it is wonderful to know that Jesus prayed for us and continues to do so, it is also very important for us to grasp exactly what it is that He prays on our behalf. We see in verses 20-21 that:

1. JESUS PRAYS THAT HIS FOLLOWERS WILL BE UNIFIED WITH ONE ANOTHER

v20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 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.

Jesus enjoyed perfect fellowship with the Father. He was one with the Father, in verse 21 He says "you, Father, are in Me, and I in you". It was the Savior’s desire for each of us who believe on Him to enjoy spiritual unity with the entire Trinity.

The very source of Christian unity is Christ Himself. It was His desire for there to be unity within His Church. Without Christ being at the center of a church this kind of unity is impossible! Show me a church that is filled with discord and conflict, and I will show you a church that has taken its focus off of the Savior. On the other hand, when a church is filled with unity this is evidence of the congregation's closeness to the Savior.

In this passage Jesus is referencing a special union. The Christian life is a battle; it is a life that is filled with spiritual warfare. Jesus never intended for His people to be lone soldiers in this battle. The Kingdom of God is about eternal relationships. There are numerous scriptures that point to the fact that God expects His people to be together now and throughout eternity.

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.