Introduction:

1. This prayer of John 17 brings the farewell discourse to its climax.

2. In it, Jesus prayed for the completion and continuation of His mission.

3. This prayer portrays Jesus as the Great Intercessor (Hebrews 7:23-25).

Discussion:

I. His Prayer for Himself (17:1-5)

A. Jesus’ hour had now come (12:23-24; 13:31-32; cf. 2:4; 7:6, 8, 30; 8:20), so He petitioned the Father for mutual glorification.

B. His glorification granted eternal life to all who know God and Christ.

II. His Prayer for His Disciples (17:6-19)

A. He interceded on behalf of those He was sending into the world.

B. The suffering inherent to the mission (17:12-16) would require they:

1. Continue to believe that Jesus was from the Father (17:6-8).

2. Stand united in the Lord (17:11).

3. Be kept from the evil one by the Father (17:15).

4. Be sanctified in the truth of God’s word as Jesus was (17:16-19).

III. His Prayer for All of Us (17:20-26)

A. Jesus’ intercession went well beyond His day and that of the apostles.

B. His prayer for all His people in every place and time was that we stand united as He and the Father are united (17:20-22).

C. Such unity is critical to the continued mission as it lets the world know that Jesus truly was sent from the Father above (17:23).

D. The final result being to dwell where He is (17:24-26; 14:1f-3).

1. Recognizing Jesus’ intercession in John 17 and throughout all time (Heb. 7:25) should deepen our love and appreciation for Him (17:26).

2. He prepared Himself for the agony of the cross (17:19) that He could prepare all of us to share in the glory He has with the Father.