Jesus Prays for His Disciples – John 17:14-23
14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
John 17:14–23 (ESV)
15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.
19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
22The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,
23I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
Jesus prayed for his disciples (John 17:6-13) not only for their safety but also that they might have joy in the midst of trial and adversity. But here in verse 14, Jesus drops a startling yet revealing insight, “I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” It is clear to Jesus that part of his mission is to communicate in word and action God’s Word. He intended to be God’s Word in the flesh. And then the troubling insight – the Word inhabiting and transforming us will put us at odds with the world. We should not be surprised that because of what we believe and our reliance on God’s Word and His Spirit (like Jesus lived) will make us aliens in this world subject to persecution and rejection (just like Jesus).
15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
John 17:15-16 (ESV)
16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
It’s really interesting that Jesus did not pray that his disciples would be delivered from their hostile environment. Just like Jesus came to the world to save the world, so to his disciples have a mission to discharge and to do it they must remain connected to the culture. He did, however, ask for their protection from the “evil one.”
Again, Jesus declares that “they are not of the world.” But that is not because they are not in the world. It speaks of their otherworldliness, their sanctification, their being set apart by God. This separation is not physical but rather of their core, their nature, and their mission.
17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
John 17:17-19 (ESV)
18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.
19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
The word sanctify here means “to separate” or “to set apart,” usually for a specific purpose. In this context, it becomes “to dedicate” or “to consecrate.” What is means is that the believer is substantively changed by the working of God’s Word in his life so that someone, on the outside, would call him a new person. This dramatic devotion results in separation from evil and dependence on God. The Word of God also becomes his standard of truth personally for all of life.
It is also worth noting that Jesus, the Logos, the living Word, was sent by the Father into the world, declared that He was the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Jesus was the embodiment of God’s truth in its totality.
20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
John 17:20-23 (ESV)
21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,
23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
Jesus switches the focus of his prayer from His disciples to all those who would accept and believe the testimony of His disciples and place their faith in Him. It is significant that Jesus in this part of his prayer made no distinction between the disciples who knew Him personally and those disciples who would follow in the ages to come. (that’s us).
Jesus’ earthly ministry was rapidly coming to a close. His disciples would have to carry on His work without Him. His work of preparation and training for His followers was done. It would be up to them to continue His redemptive mission and to likewise make disciples who make disciples. But He didn’t pray for protection, power or victory. In this incredible glimpse into the Trinity, Jesus prays for our unity. It’s amazing to think that at that moment, just hours before his arrest and crucifixion, the one who created us and knows us better than we know ourselves prayed for our unity.
Jesus goes on to identify the model for that unity, none other than the interpersonal relationship He enjoys within the Godhead – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus pictures this unity among his disciples as analogous to the fullness of His relationship with the Father. Jesus prays that they may be brought to complete unity, sharing richly in both the unity of purpose and the wealth of love that tie the Father and the Son together. Perfect relationship, totally known to one another, secure in a oneness of vision and mission, all bound with love and mutual submission.
Jesus’ time on earth was done and the age of the Church was on the horizon but the burden of His heart is for our unity. And the prayer goes beyond the disciples hearing it to include all believers throughout the ages. He does not just pray for a general spirit of unity or simply an organizational unity, although both of those things would be amazing blessings today. Incredibly, He prays for nothing less than the fullness of the unity He shares and draws upon within the Godhead to be realized within the body of His followers.
He then concludes this portion of the prayer with a stunning association between the unity of His body (the Church) and its witness to the Gospel (His message). Similar to the display of authentic love one for another in John 13:34-35, unity among the believers is to provide a compelling witness to the unbelieving world of the truth of the gospel, the identity of Christ, and the love of the Father.
Jesus’ declaration, “I in them and you in me,” reveals a cycle of faith leading to unity which leads others to faith. His prayer goes on to reveal the missional purpose for the unity, “that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them” (John 17:23).
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. – This is The Way
John 17:17-18 (ESV)
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
- How has the Word of God transformed you? Where is the Spirit working on you now? What Scripture is supporting that work? How are you participating?
- How important is unity in the body of Christ to you? Is unity important in your church? What are you doing to promote it? What might you be doing to destroy it? In light of how important it was to Jesus, what do you think you need to do?
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