John 17

1-5: What is your definition of glory? How does it happen? In Jesus’ prayer He shows that it happens through suffering. Jesus will glorify the Father by going to the cross. He is obeying God and completing His mission to give eternal life to everyone the Father has given to Him. The Father will glorify the Son through the resurrection and the ascension, bringing Jesus back home to be with Him.

6-19: Next, Jesus prays for the disciples. He has revealed the Father to them and has given them the Father’s words. He has given Himself for them, He has kept them, and He has sent them out into a world that will hate them. Since He is leaving He prays for their safety, He prays for their joy, He prays for them to be unified, and He prays for them to continue in the truth. They have a special role to play and a mission to complete, and we see them fulfilling that mission in the book of Acts.

20-26: Finally, Jesus prays for us. He wants us to be one, just as He and the Father are one. Unfortunately, that has proven to be rather elusive over the centuries! Our oneness is supposed to let the world know the truth about Jesus, and the reality of God’s love.

Thought for the day: Jesus prayed for multiple things He didn’t receive. Our oneness. Escaping the cross. Faith is about more than getting what you want. It’s about faith in what God wants.

Matthew 26:39 (WEB) “He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire.’ “