John 17:6-19 (NRSV)
Read John 17:6-19 on biblegateway.com
Verse 6"I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Verse 7Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; Verse 8for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. Verse 9I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. Verse 10All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them.
Verse 11And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. Verse 12While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. Verse 13But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. Verse 14I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Verse 15I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. Verse 16They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.
Verse 17Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. Verse 18As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. Verse 19And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.
Devotion
In his farewell sermon to the disciples, Jesus prays for them. We are included in this prayer as modern-day disciples. Since he no longer will be physically present to guide, encourage and support them, he prays that his students will experience the oneness that he enjoys with the heavenly Father. Jesus also prays that his joy will be made complete in them, that they may be victorious over the evil one and that they will continue to represent Christ in the world.
Augustine said, “Our souls are restless until they find their rest in Thee.” We yearn for oneness. We ache for unity and long for a loving, accepting, forgiving, supportive community. Jesus prays that we find it in the Church, the “Body of Christ.”
Jesus also prays that the joy which results in experiencing oneness may be completed in us. What a comfort to know that our Lord is cheering us on – especially when some days are dreary and futile.
Prayer
Thank you, loving Lord, for your prayers for us. We are encouraged to know that you desire us to experience the unity and joy that only you can give. In your name we pray, Amen.