John 17: 1-11
After Jesus had said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name–the name you gave me–so they may be one as we are one.
A Thought
Jesus has finished his teaching about his Father, the Holy Spirit, how to pray and gives them warnings that they will have trouble in this world but that he has overcome the world. Now Jesus prays to the Father preparing for his ascension back to his place in heaven for his hour has come. Jesus asks the Father to glorify his Son. He has finished the work his Father had given him to do: People know God as the only true God and that Jesus, his Son gives eternal life. Then Jesus prays protection for his disciples and that by the power of his name they may be one in unity, protected from the evil one and set apart by the word of truth. Jesus then sends his people into the world in the same manner that the Father sent Jesus, his Son–for others to also know the only true God, the Father and the Son.
Our Prayer
Father thank you for Jesus’ teaching his disciples, along with us, about your great love for us and that you are the one true God and Jesus Christ is the only way to find your eternal promises for all who will believe. We believe, so awaken us by the power of your Holy Spirit that we may build faith in others by your word of truth. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
