38: Jesus’ Prayer and Our Vision for the Church (John 17:1 – 26)

This beautiful and heartful prayer of our Lord Jesus always touches our hearts. Jesus prayed not only for His disciples but also for all believers throughout generations. Yes, He prayed for each one of us, right before the crucifixion. And His prayer shall be answered and, thus, become our vision for the church and our spiritual journey.

πŸ‘‰ Read John 17:1 - 26


Q1. “This is eternal life – that they know you, the (              ), and (            ).” He became a (       ) and lived with us so that we have fellowship with Jesus Christ. He revealed the One who (       ) Him and died to reconcile us to God so that we may have a relationship with the (            ).

“This is eternal life – that they know you, the ( only true God ), and ( Jesus Christ ).” He became a ( man ) and lived with us so that we have fellowship with Jesus Christ. He revealed the One who ( sent ) Him and died to reconcile us to God so that we may have a relationship with the ( Father ).

Jesus was given the authority to give eternal life to anyone He wanted (2). He so loved His people to die to give them life. Therefore, the cross was an authoritative declaration of the King, saying, “You death, let my people go!” The cross was the glory of the King!


Q2. Jesus prayed for those who belong to the Father (9). How do you know you belong to the Father? (6 – 8)

If you obey Jesus’ words that were given in the name of God and, thus, understand and believe that God sent Jesus, you belong to the Father.

You will experience God while you obey Jesus' words. Thus, you will confirm that Jesus' words are from God and that God has sent Jesus.  


Q3. What did Jesus pray for them? (four, 11, 13, 15, 17)

To keep them safe in the Father’s name so that they could be one

“Your name that you have given me.” Jesus prayed that they would experience the same God just as Jesus had announced about God: light, love, and truth. Jesus wanted them to experience God just as they had heard from Jesus.

The requirement of oneness of the church comes from the Oneness of the Trinity.

They may experience the joy of Jesus in themselves while He is absent

“my joy” could be understood in various ways. 1) When Jesus’ prayer for them is answered, their joy will be great for Jesus’ spiritual abidence, just as He has said so. 2) In their intimate relationship with the Father, they can have joy from the Father, the same kind of joy Jesus had while in the world.

To keep them safe from the evil one

“the evil one.” The power of the world that acts against what Jesus is praying for them. Forgetting the name of the Father, Not being oneness.

Amid troubles and difficult situations, we’d better pray not to fall into evil before we cry for the rescue. God would have His plan for putting us in trouble.

Set them apart in the truth

‘Speak to them and use them as your speaker to announce your words to the world.’ 


Q4. Jesus prayed for the church to be one just as the Father, the Son, and the Spirit are one. (verses 11, 21-23) What message does the church’s unity in Christ give to the world? 

God sent Jesus and loves the church just as He loves the Son.

Again, this proclamation would bring the lost children to the Father and make all believers throughout generations one. 

How does Jesus’ sacrifice done 2000 years ago apply to me? Jesus’ prayer for those who will believe through the disciples’ testimony confirms that we were already included in His plan of salvation when He was nailed.


Q5. What is the final goal of our knowing God, i.e. the name of the Father? In other words, what is the final destination of our salvation? (26)

The Father’s love may be in us, and Jesus may be in us.

"Let them be where I am" (24) Jesus prayed that we would live with Him in heaven.

Eternal life is to live in the Father's love, in Jesus Christ, and by the Holy Spirit.


The oneness of the church is the key prayer of Jesus. Never divide the church.

Our spiritual journey is to join the divine fellowship of the Trinity. And the goal is to live in the Father’s love, forever. Wherever the Lord is shall be heaven for us. 



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

15: They repented for the first time, But... (Judges 10:1 – 18)

They repented before the Lord, but He was not willing to deliver them because He knew their irresistible tendency toward idol worship. Read Judges 10:1 - 18 Q1. After the death of Abimelech, Tola rose up to (             ) Israel and (         ) Israel for 23 years. After him, (             ) rose up and (           ) Israel for 22 years. The towns he and his sons ruled were collectively called (                   ). Both (          ) and were buried in their hometowns. Answers πŸ‘‰ After the death of Abimelech, Tola rose up to ( deliver ) Israel and ( led ) Israel for 23 years. After him, ( Jair  ) rose up and (  led  ) Israel for 22 years. The towns he and his sons ruled were collectively called ( Havvoth Jair ). Both ( died ) and were buried in their hometowns. They "rose up." While there is no explicit mention that the Lord appointed them as judges, this does not necessarily mean they assumed leadership on their own.  Tola appears to have risen to deliver Israel du
Read more

25: ‘Tell us plainly’ vs ‘The Father and I are one.’ (John 10:22 – 42)

As Jesus announced the Father and Jesus were one, the Jewish leaders tried to stone him. πŸ‘‰ Read John 10:22 - 42 Q1. Why did the Jewish leaders not believe in Jesus? Answers πŸ‘‰ They refused to believe in Jesus, for they were not Jesus’ sheep. ‘you refused to believe.’ This tells their willing refusal.  Note that Jesus Himself doesn’t call Himself the Messiah. Instead, He called Himself the One sent from God. He focused on doing the Father’s works and proclaiming His words. From Jesus’ works, they could have concluded that He was the Messiah sent from God. But they refused to admit it. Instead, they asked Jesus to admit His identity as the Messiah plainly, which Jesus wouldn’t do. Q2. They asked Jesus if He were the (           ). But Jesus claimed that the (          ) and He are one. Because of this, they condemned Him of (             ) and tried to stone Him. Answer πŸ‘‰ They asked Jesus if He were the ( Christ ). But Jesus claimed that the ( Father  ) and He are one
Read more

13: Abimelech: The Rise of a Self-Appointed Leader (Judges 9:1 – 21)

All the judges in the Book of Judges were chosen by God. However, Abimelech claimed kingship on his own. The people of Shechem supported him but did not truly follow him. Although they appeared to act out of loyalty to their kin, they were ultimately pursuing their own interests. This alliance would ultimately lead to mutual destruction. Read Judges 9:1 - 21 Q1. Why did the people of Shechem follow Abimelech? (2-3) Answers πŸ‘‰ Abimelech was their close relative. His mother was from Shechem.  Q2. The people of Shechem gave him (                 ) silver coins. And he hired some (            ) men and killed his (             ), seventy sons of Jerub Baal, on (              ).  Answer πŸ‘‰ The people of Shechem gave him ( seventy ) silver coins. And he hired some ( lawless ) men and killed his ( brothers ), seventy sons of Jerub Baal, on ( one stone ). Take note of expressions that emphasize brotherhood, such as “our own flesh and blood” and “He is our close relative.” Alt
Read more