This is part 14 of Graham’s preaching series on John’s Gospel chapters 13 to 17.
This week the sermon is looking at John chapter 17.
The sermon is available as a Podcast and notes are below.
The material is made available so that any may use it, preach it or adapt it.
John 17:1-26
Intro
These words were probably overheard after they left the upper room (chapter 14 verse 31?) and before they crossed over the Kidron Valley to the Mount of Olives. Again I think someone would have acted as a scribe, recording this precious and intimate prayer.
Many commentators have seen a structure to this prayer, or a “shape” as Donald Goggan put in his excellent book, ‘The Prayers of the New Testament’. However, we should not be limited in our thinking by this perceived structure, though it does help us connect with this prayer.
The “shape” can be represented by imagining three concentric circles. The first circle is concerned with Jesus himself (v1-5). The second concerns those around him then, his close followers (v6-19). The third is concerned with the church that is yet to be in the future (v20-26).
This prayer is a conference between The Son and The Father.
1) First Circle, 1-5
“Glorify your son” verse 1
“Glorify me” verse 5
He asks that he be glorified, that his authority to give eternal life be shown to all as his unique right, that his true identity be finally revealed for all to recognise.
See:
John 20:30-31
Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
1 John 5:13
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
2) Second Circle, 6-19
“Keep/protect” verse 11. Protection from evil - attack or onslaught from without.
See John 10:27-29(KJV)
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
“Sanctify” verse 17. Protection from sin - injury springing from within.
This is a perilous moment for the young church as Jesus moves them into the new position outlined in my previous sermon. They needed great care and protection, and what better care and protection than the prayer of Jesus and the imminent presence of his Holy Spirit?
- I want to cooperate with his work of keeping/protecting me.
- I want to cooperate with his work of sanctifying me.
3) Third Circle, 20-26
(a) “I pray” verse 20.
(b) “I desire/want” verse 24.
(a) “I pray” verse 20. He prays for our unity.
It seems from this record that Christians have unity granted to them by this prayer of Jesus, And what prayer of Jesus would we not expect to have been granted!? Unity must not be violated or we vandalise holy things.
What is unity?
Isaiah 12:2,3
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
Christian unity is an ability to disagree even as we draw water from the wells of salvation. Yet our unity as that we are gathered around the same well, drawing the same water.
(b) “I desire/want” verse 24. He desires to be united with them/us in glory.
See chapter 14 verses 1-3
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
We may long for our welcome home, but it seems he longs for our return too.
Conclusion
The three circles of concern are recounted by John for one great purpose. See chapter 20 verses 28 to 31
Thomas said to him, My Lord and my God!
Then Jesus told him, Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
