We've been spending some time in the Gospel of John these past couple of months, and this week, we dove into John chapter 17. This chapter is incredibly special because it captures Jesus' prayer to his Father in the final hours before he goes to the cross. It's an intimate moment with him and his disciples, and it reveals what was consuming his heart: the glory of God and the unity of the body.

Think of it like finding someone's journal, especially a prayer journal. There's something sacred about reading someone's deepest longings and frustrations written out to God. In John 17, Jesus invites us to listen in on his prayer to his Father. This isn't the "Lord's Prayer" that he taught his disciples; this is his prayer, a conversation where he, knowing his hour had come, pours out his heart.

Just as a preacher ends a sermon with a prayer, asking for the truths to take root and for God to open hearts, Jesus concludes his discourse with this profound prayer. It reminds us that Jesus, our great high priest, always lives to intercede for us, right now. This truth should bring us immense comfort, hope, and purpose as believers. His prayer reflects the fullness of the covenant of grace: he finishes his work to glorify the Father, and then intercedes for his disciples and for all of us who would follow. Eternal life, as he says in verse 3, is knowing God and Jesus Christ whom he sent.

We focused on two main sections of this prayer. First, verses 1-5, where Jesus prays towards the glory of God. He speaks of a glory he shared with the Father from all eternity, a glory that was veiled in his flesh during his earthly ministry, and a glory that would be revealed in his saving work on the cross. The cross, in fact, is where God's character, love, mercy, and power are fully displayed. This glory will also be unveiled in his ascension into heaven and, remarkably, displayed in the lives of believers.

What does this mean for us? Jesus' concern for the glory of God should be our concern. Our prayers should echo his: "Father, glorify yourself in me." We should strive to seek his glory above our own ease, comfort, success, or notoriety, making our lives a "theater for your glory."

Second, we looked at verses 20-26, where Jesus prays for the unity of believers. He asks that we "all be one, just as you, Father, in me and I am in you." We often make two mistakes regarding unity: mistaking organizational union for true unity (like tying two cats' tails together – they're in union, but not united!), and treating Christian unity as dispensable. Our theology, when rooted in Christ, should unite us, not divide us.

The nature of this unity is bound to the apostolic message – the gospel truth that binds the church together across ages. It's a unity with the Father and the Son, a unity so deep that Jesus desires for us to share in the same unity he has with the Father. This unity isn't achieved by human effort; it's obtained by an increasing commitment to the gospel and apostolic teaching. It's a unity that must be according to God's holy word. As we are drawn closer to God through Christ and the Spirit, we are naturally drawn closer to those he has saved.

Our enemy, the devil, constantly seeks to divide us, planting enmity, resentment, and division over countless earthly things. But when we, as a body, come together, confess our sins, worship, and love one another despite our differences, our God is most glorified. When we bear wrongs, forgive, and choose not to keep track of offenses, God is glorified.

The ultimate purpose of this unity is so that the world may believe that Jesus was sent by God the Father. As Jesus said in John 13, the world will know we are his by the way we love one another.

I encourage you this afternoon, perhaps in your community group, to look at the application questions in your bulletin. Let's reflect on how we can live out this prayer of Jesus, seeking God's glory and fostering unity in our lives and in our church.