What Jesus Did

[Jesus prayed,] "Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!"

—John 17:24 NLT

Key Thought


So often, we try to find glory for ourselves while we are here on earth. In our brief span of years, we try all sorts of ways to gain glory in the eyes of others. True glory, however, comes only from the Lord! Jesus longs to share his eternal glory with us...

 

[Jesus prayed,] "I have given [my disciples] the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me."

—John 17:22-23 NLT

Key Thought


The world is divided. Unity simply is not found on a grand scale in our fractured, divided, and segmented world. We divide based on race, politics, country, culture...

 

[Jesus prayed, "My disciples] do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth."

—John 17:16-17 NLT

Key Thought


God's word is truth. His goal in giving us his word, his truth, is not to limit us or restrict us, but to make us pure and holy. We live in the center of God's intention when we open our hearts to his word and apply that word to our lives through obedience. God's Spirit is at work to...

 

[Jesus:] "I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one — as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me."

—John 17:20-21 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus didn't pray just for his immediate disciples, but also for those who would believe on him because of their word. Folks, that includes us...

 

[Jesus prayed,] "Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending [my disciples] into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth."

—John 17:18-19 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus was sent from God to us so we could return to God as his beloved children. Now Jesus sends his disciples (including us) into the world to make a difference in those we meet. Jesus gives himself totally to God so that our mission and our...

 

[Jesus prayed,] "I have given [my disciples] your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one."

—John 17:14-15 NLT

Key Thought


God loves the world. He sent his Son to die to redeem the world. But, the world does not love God. The world, its processes and powers, rejected God's Son. Since we have become...

 

[Jesus prayed,] "Now I am coming to you. I told [my disciples] many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy."

—John 17:13 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus is our source of joy! The apostle Paul said it this way, "Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again — rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon" (Philippians 4:4-5). From his birth to his resurrection and...

 

[Jesus said,] "But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. Instead, you grieve because of what I've told you. But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don't, the Advocate won't come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you."

—John 16:5-7 NLT

Key Thought


I can't imagine how the disciples felt or what they understood when Jesus talked about going away. He did all he could to help his...

 

[Jesus said to his disciples,] "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

—John 16:33 NLT

Key Thought


The power of the world, the realm controlled by Satan, was defeated when Jesus accepted his Father's will to go to the cross. He broke and defeated the power of sin and death through his own sacrificial death. He brought life and immortality to...

 

[Jesus prayed,] "During my time here, I protected [my disciples] by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold."

—John 17:12 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus came to save, to bless, to redeem, and to protect. A primary focus of Jesus' last moments with his disciples was protection. He wanted to protect them spiritually from discouragement, so he told them about what was...