John 17:1-26, Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer

Bible Study with Dr. Thomas Constable

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Podcast Summary: John 17:1-26 - Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer

Title: The Prayer of the Savior: Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer

Episode Description:
In John 17:1-26, we encounter a deeply intimate moment where Jesus prays to the Father, lifting up His disciples, His mission, and all future believers. This prayer, often referred to as the "High Priestly Prayer," marks the culmination of Jesus’ teachings and His final moments with His disciples before His arrest. Jesus prays for glorification, for the protection and sanctification of His followers, and for their unity in truth. He also prays for those who will come to believe through their message. In this episode, we explore the profound themes of Jesus’ intercession for His disciples and for the Church, revealing His heart for their relationship with God and each other.

Episode Notes

1. Jesus’ Prayer for Glorification (Verses 1-5)

• The Glory of the Father and the Son:
  Jesus begins His prayer by asking the Father to glorify Him, that He may glorify the Father. This mutual glorification reflects the deep unity within the Trinity. Jesus’ glorification is tied to His mission of bringing eternal life to those who believe in Him. The "hour" has come, marking the time of His crucifixion, where He will be glorified through His obedience and sacrifice. His glorification will reveal the Father’s love and purpose in the world.
• Eternal Life as Knowing God:
  Jesus defines eternal life not as a future event, but as knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. Eternal life is relational; it’s about knowing God intimately, living in relationship with Him, and experiencing His presence and truth. This understanding of eternal life is central to Jesus’ mission and to the faith He imparts to His followers.

2. Jesus’ Prayer for His Disciples (Verses 6-19)

• Revealing God’s Name to His Disciples:
  Jesus speaks of how He has revealed the Father’s name to those whom the Father gave Him from the world. These disciples are those who have responded to Jesus’ call and believed in Him, recognizing His divine authority. Jesus emphasizes that they belong to God and that their understanding of God has been opened through Him.
• Protection and Unity:
  Jesus prays for the protection of His disciples, asking that the Father keep them safe from the evil one. He is aware that they will face trials and opposition in the world, but He prays that they remain united in truth. Unity in the truth of God’s Word is key to their strength and perseverance.
• Sanctification Through Truth:
  Jesus asks the Father to sanctify His disciples by the truth. To be sanctified is to be set apart for God’s purposes. Jesus highlights that His Word is the truth that brings sanctification. The disciples’ growth in holiness and their ability to live out God’s will is directly tied to their immersion in the truth of God’s Word.

3. Jesus’ Prayer for All Believers (Verses 20-23)

• Praying for Future Believers:
  Jesus broadens His prayer to include not only the disciples who are with Him but also those who will come to believe in Him through their message. He prays for all future believers, asking that they may experience the same unity that He shares with the Father. This unity is not just external, but internal, rooted in their shared relationship with God and the truth of the Gospel.
• The Glory Given to Believers:
  Jesus also prays that the glory the Father has given to Him may be shared with believers. This glory is not for self-exaltation but to empower believers to live as a unified body, reflecting the love and truth of God in the world. The ultimate goal of this unity