Topical Encyclopedia In the final days of His earthly ministry, Jesus Christ offered a profound and heartfelt prayer, often referred to as the High Priestly Prayer, recorded in the Gospel of John, chapter 17. This prayer, delivered in Jerusalem shortly before His arrest and crucifixion, encapsulates the essence of His mission and His deep intercessory love for His disciples and all future believers.Context and Setting The prayer takes place after the Last Supper, during a time of intimate teaching and fellowship with His disciples. Jesus, fully aware of the impending suffering and sacrifice He was about to endure, turns His heart towards the Father in a moment of solemn and sacred communication. This prayer is a pivotal moment, revealing the depth of Jesus' relationship with the Father and His unwavering commitment to the divine plan of salvation. Structure and Themes The High Priestly Prayer can be divided into three distinct sections, each reflecting a unique aspect of Jesus' intercession: 1. Jesus Prays for Himself (John 17:1-5): Jesus begins by addressing the Father, acknowledging the completion of His earthly work and seeking to be glorified in the presence of the Father, as He was before the world existed. He prays, "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You" (John 17:1). This request for glorification is not for personal gain but to reveal the divine glory through His impending death and resurrection. 2. Jesus Prays for His Disciples (John 17:6-19): In this section, Jesus intercedes for His immediate followers, whom He has protected and taught. He prays for their unity, protection from the evil one, and sanctification through the truth. Jesus declares, "Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth" (John 17:17). His prayer emphasizes the importance of their mission in the world and the need for divine guidance and strength. 3. Jesus Prays for All Believers (John 17:20-26): Extending His prayer beyond the present, Jesus intercedes for all who will come to believe in Him through the message of the disciples. He prays for unity among believers, mirroring the unity between the Father and the Son, so that the world may believe in His divine mission. Jesus expresses His desire for believers to be with Him and to behold His glory, saying, "Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My glory" (John 17:24). Significance and Legacy This prayer is a testament to Jesus' role as the mediator between God and humanity. It highlights His divine authority, His love for His followers, and His commitment to the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The themes of unity, truth, and sanctification resonate throughout the prayer, offering a model for Christian life and community. The High Priestly Prayer remains a source of comfort and inspiration for believers, reminding them of Jesus' ongoing intercession and the promise of eternal life with Him. It underscores the transformative power of divine love and the call to live in unity and truth, reflecting the glory of God in a world in need of redemption. Nave's Topical Index John 17:1These words spoke Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you: Nave's Topical Index Library The Resurrection of Christ; his Last Interview with his Disciples ... Jesus Christ, the Divine Teacher of Prayer (Continued) A Glance at Jerusalem. The Story of the Baptist, from his Last Testimony to Jesus to his ... Jesus Before Caiphas. Christ Glorified as the Builder of his Church Exhortation to Watch for Christ's Coming (Luke, xii. , 36-48): to ... Paul Writes to the Christians at Rome Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and ... The Jewish War and the Destruction of Jerusalem. AD 70 Resources Questions about Jesus Christ (All) | GotQuestions.orgHow many prophecies did Jesus fulfill? | GotQuestions.org Is the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar biblical? | GotQuestions.org Jesus: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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