John 17

Written on 05/10/2024

Verses 1-5

  • Jesus establishes three things:

    • He was with the Father, glorified as part of God, before anything existed (verse 5)

    • He has all authority to give eternal life to us (verse 2)

    • The eternal life He gives is relationship with the Father (verse 3)

  • As believers, we have access to relationship with God, and when we talk about the gospel with others, we should teach that Jesus is the way to truly know God. Eternal life is all about knowing God, not about going to a place of heavenly paradise. Relationship is the focus, not a relocation.

 

Verses 6-8

  • Jesus made God clear to us through His words, and His words bring the power to believe.

    • Jesus' words are more important for us than His miracles. With Christ are “the words of eternal life” (John 6:68), and His words bring the belief that we need to receive eternal life.

  • Receive, obey, and focus on the words of Jesus, and you will have all the belief that you need.

 

Verses 9-19

  • Verses 9-13, 17-19. Jesus did not focus His prayers or His efforts on the whole world, but on the select few that God chose to be His disciples.

    • His purpose was so that He could concentrate His work on getting them well-trained to go out into the world after Him and be as effective as He was.

      • Practically, this reminds us not to spread ourselves too thin. Trying to help everyone, but poorly, is far less effective than helping fewer people excellently.

    • Focus on being edified and strengthened yourself, and help to strengthen other believers so that, together, you can accomplish more.

  • Verses 14-16. Jesus did say that we are not of this world, but that doesn't mean we're supposed to leave this world. We are meant to be here.

    • Remember that God does not want to remove you from this world. He wants you to be in this world as a light in the darkness (Matthew 5:16), to bring others to Him, while being protected from the devil.

    • Don't desire to leave this world to go to heaven. Simply turn away from sin and from the enemy. This will keep you strong.

Verses 20-23

  • Now Jesus turns His attention to praying for all those that will become believers through the Word that we shared with them. 

    • His singular focus is that all believers would as unified with each other as the Father is with the Son. 

    • Verse 23. When believers are unified, it helps the world to see the truth about Christ.

      • Don't agree to disagree with fellow believers in your church, and don't overlook divisions or conflicts. Do your best to be at peace and harmony with fellow believers. Build close relationships (Acts 2:42), focus on being agreed in your doctrine (1 Corinthians 1:10).

 

Verses 23-26

  • We are deeply loved by the Father, even to the same degree that God loves Jesus Himself.

    • Knowing how loved you are, have that love for others, and let that love drive your actions in everything.