Knowing Jesus Whom God Sent

Such an amazing revelation! Jesus prays to the Father for His disciples and for those who will believe in Him via their witness, that’s people like you and me… Christians!

His words to His Father convey respect and affection: “Father.” “O Father.” “Holy Father.” “O Righteous Father.” [1]

He recognizes that the men to whom He manifested God’s Name were His Father’s, and that His Father gave them to Him. These men kept His Word, knew that He (Jesus) was sent from the Father and believed in Him. [2]

Jesus is praying for these men (His disciples), that His Father will keep them that may be one as He and the Father are one. In other words, do not let distance grow between them. Let them remain steadfastly close to the Father even as He is close to the Father.

“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.” [3]

He acknowledges that the world hates these men because they are not of the world. He prays that the Father will keep them from the evil one.

“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” [4]

Next, He prays for the ongoing oneness of people who believe in God through the witness of His disciples, that they too will enjoy oneness with God.

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” [5]

“…that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” [6]

That they… “May be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” [7]

God reveals His heart for humans who believe in Him and walk with Him via this prayer of Jesus. A key truth for us to be ever mindful of from the prayer of Jesus is, “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” [8]

[1] John 17:1, 5, 11, 25

[2] John 17:6-8

[3] John 17:9, 11

[4] John 17:14-15

[5] John 17:20-21

[6] John 17:23

[7] John 17:24

[8] John 17:3