John 17:1-19
Jesus prays for his disciples
- for us
God talking to himself
- Trinity
- God is in himself a relational being
- not just an unmoved mover but one of us
- Alanis Morissette: "What if God was one of us? Just a slob like one of us. Just a stranger on the bus. Trying to make his way home"
Gospel of John
- Not a historic prayer of historic Jesus but a message from John to his congregation
- approximately 100 Anno Domini
- identifies himself with the disciple whom Jesus loved
- Proof of date: Struggle within the Synagogue (John 9:22 the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue) only possible way after the destruction of the temple
- What is going on in John’s congregation that he needs to tell them that?
Why would John stress Jesus’ Preexistence by having him pray:
- 5 So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.
- Amen means confirm - attach yourself in eternity - assurance, stability
Why would John stress Unity by having Jesus pray:
- 11 And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.
- Strength through Unity - stick together - support one another
Why would John stress the virtue of Difference by having Jesus pray:
- 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.
- It’s okay to be different - we are weirdos to our Mormon community - we really appreciate diversity
Why would John have Jesus ask for Protection from Enemies by praying:
- 15 I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one.
- John’s congregation faced real Prosecution - also in our time and place it is tough professing Christ - Satan is leading the enemies
Ultimately John wants his congregation to be Sanctified in Truth and has Jesus pray:
- 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.
- Sanctify means to set apart
- Shabbat - to offer rest
- Cities of Refuge - to save lives
- Chosen People - to express true love
- Temple - to show reverence
- Called to Discipleship - to show commitment
- Roman environment: home churches
- Mormon Land: Protestant Safe Haven
