How Our Savior Prayed In The Shadow Of The Cross - Part 2 Series

How Our Savior Prayed in the Shadow of the Cross

Part 2: The Wonderful Work of Our Lord

The Gospel of John

John 17:4-8 (Read vs. 1-8)

Sermon by Rick Crandall

Grayson Baptist Church – March 21, 2018

(Revised May 1, 2020)

BACKGROUND:

*Please open your Bibles to John 17. Tonight's Scripture continues John's remarkable focus on the night before Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, John has focused on this night since John 13:1.

*Here in John 17, Jesus and His disciples have almost arrived at the Garden of Gethsemane. And before they crossed over the Brook Kidron, the Lord paused, looked up to Heaven, and began to speak to His Heavenly Father.

*That makes perfect sense, because no one has ever had a stronger prayer life than our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Except for a brief time on the cross, the Son of God was in constant communion with His Heavenly Father. And we see the Lord in prayer many times in God's Word.

*For example, Luke 3:21-22 tells us that Jesus prayed at His baptism:

21. Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.

22. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.''

*Mark's Gospel tells us about Jesus getting up way before daylight to pray. In Mark 1:32-35, God's Word says:

32. Now at evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed.

33. And the whole city was gathered together at the door.

34. Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.

35. Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.

*Luke 6:12-13 tells us about Jesus spending all night in prayer:

12. Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

13. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Him; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles:

*Matthew 11 shows Jesus praying a thanksgiving prayer to our Heavenly Father. There Jesus was thankful that you and I don't have to be geniuses or have PhD's in order to be saved. I'm thankful about that too!

*The gospel of Jesus Christ is simple enough for small children to understand and believe in the Lord. So in Matthew 11:25-26, Jesus prayed this prayer:

25. . . "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.

26. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight."

*In John 11:41-42, Jesus was at the graveside, about to raise Lazarus from the dead. There the Lord prayed another prayer of thanksgiving. Jesus also prayed a thanksgiving prayer when He instituted the Lord's Supper on the night before the cross.

*So to sum it up, Jesus prayed early in the morning and all night long. Jesus prayed before He chose His disciples. He prayed with praise and thanksgiving. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. And even on the cross, Jesus prayed.

*Our Lord's life was filled with prayer. But God tells us very little about what Jesus actually said in His prayers.

*Again, from Matthew 11:25-26 and Luke 10:21:

25. . . "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.

26. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight."

*From John 11:41-42:

41. . . "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.

42. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.''

*From John 12:28: "Father, glorify Your name.''

*Then Jesus prayed 3 times in the Garden of Gethsemane. Matthew 26 records two of those prayers. In vs. 39, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.'' And in Matthew 26:42, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.''

*The Bible also reports 3 of Christ's prayers on the cross:

-In Luke 23:34, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.''