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. 



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