JOHN 17

JESUS PRAYS FOR SANCTIFICATION + UNITY AMONG BELIEVERS

After speaking with the disciples, Jesus prays for both Himself and His followers, asking God to make Himself glorified through His life and death on the cross. Imploring God to accomplish His will, He prays for the work God set out to do through Him, granting believers eternal life. Jesus has given the disciples the words God has given Him and followed God’s will for His life. Through Him, the disciples have come to know the truth and believe that God sent Him as the Savior.

Jesus asks God to guard the disciples after His return. He has led the disciples during His time on Earth, but must rely on the Holy Spirit to continue to guide them after His death. Because God does not have the same values as the world, the disciples will be hated by the world for trusting and following God’s word. Jesus asks God to protect the disciples against Satan, the evil one, and sanctify them in truth.

Jesus expands His prayer to cover not only the disciples, but include anyone who believes in Him as the Son of God. He desires for His followers to share the news of the Savior and spread the message of salvation throughout the world. Jesus asks God for unity among believers, so that they will not be divided and that their message will be loving and glorifying to God.

John 17:26 – I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.