John 17:1-24, Christ's High Priestly Intercessory Prayer

Main Body

Setting The Stage

• In John 15 Jesus taught his disciples about their relationships. Relationships with Christ, relationships with each other, and relationships with the world.
• In John 16, Jesus teaches his disciples about the coming Holy Spirit and imminent departure.
• John 17 records the prayer of Jesus right before his arrest.
• The prayer of Jesus will give us insight into both His heart for His people and His people's deeper needs.

Point 1, The Priority of God's Glory (V. 1-5 )

In the first three verses of John 17 no fewer than three ινα clauses show the purpose behind cosmological events.

Grammatically, ινα introduces a subordinating conjunction.

1. Subordinating conjunction
   1. final, introducing a subordinate clause expressing a purpose: in order that, so that, so
   2. introducing a clause of effort, indicating what someone is trying to accomplish: that
   3. usually poetic: where

Christ's Priority Was God's Glory (V. 1)

Verse 1

• The hour refers to the time of Jesus's death. The significance of calling it "the hour" is important. In some sense this is the moment that all of time turns upon. The fulcrum of time. From Genesis 3:15 until now all of creation earnestly waited for this moment.

• Notice the purpose even of Christ's glory was ultimately God's glory. In the greek Christ uses a ινα clause. In order that Your Son also may glorify you.

Eternity Is Focussed on God's Glory (V. 2-3)

Verse 2

• yet another ινα clause demonstrates that God gave Christ authority in order that Christ might give eternal life.

Verse 3

• In verse 3, the third ινα of this chapter introduces the idea of what eternal life actually is: knowing God and Christ. Have you ever heard someone say "he lived a full life" or "he is enjoying all life has to offer?" According to Christ, eternal life is not experiencing all there is to experience. No, eternal life is knowing God.

It Is All About God's Glory (V. 4-5)

Verse 4

• Notice the implication, everything Christ did was purposed for the Glory of God.

Verse 5

• The priority is God's glory. But don't miss the fact that in God's glory, Christ is glorified as well. We should aim for God's glory and realize that God's glory is also what is best for us.

• Romans 8:28 states
  • And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

As Christians, we must make God's glory our highest aim.

Transition (V. 6-8)

• Sandwiched between two rich sections on Christ and God are some specific prayer requests that Christ makes. From these prayer requests we can learn a lot about our own needs.

Verse 6

• Notice the ownership. As Christians, we belong to God.

Verse 7

• Notice the source

Verse 8

• Notice the belief

Point 2, We Need Keeping (V. 9-19)

We Have Not Arrived (V. 9-10)=

Verse 9

• I worry that too often we set ourselves on a pinnacle and then apply Biblical teaching to everyone else around us.
• Christ makes a strong contrast that he is praying not for the world, but for His disciples here. The world may have a multitude of problems, but Christ chose to pray for His disciples.

Verse 10

• Nothing we have done or ever will do will warrant God's gracious provision of salvation. Chosen, before the foundation of the world, we have nothing with which to brag or stand self-righteously.