John 17:1-11 (NRSV)
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Chapter 17After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, Verse 2since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. Verse 3And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. Verse 4I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. Verse 5So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.
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.
Devotion
What does it mean to you that Jesus has prayed for you?
This text -- part of a longer section of teaching to the disciples in the Upper Room -- is a glimpse into Jesus' heart as he prepares for his betrayal. His words are passionate and earnest. He wants God to know he has been faithful. He has accomplished what he came for. Now, he prays that God will continue to strengthen his disciples' trust in him. And, he prays for those who will come to believe through their message -- for the seeds they will sow and the harvest God will reap as they tell his story.
If Christ himself asks God to bless his words and witness, how much more should we ask God to bless what we can do in his name?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, even as you faced death you were thinking of us. Help us to give you the place you deserve in our hearts. Bless our words and witness as we reach out in your name. Amen.