What Jesus Did

[Jesus prayed,] "Now I am departing from the world; [my disciples] are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are."

—John 17:11 NLT

Key Thought


The majority of Jesus' departing prayer is for his disciples. He wants God to keep them and care for them. He wants them to find God's peace among themselves. He wants them to be unified...

 

After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life — to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth."

—John 17:1-3 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus came to give us life. His goal wasn't to prolong our lives here. His...

 

[Jesus prayed,] "My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory."

—John 17:9-10 NLT

Key Thought


Think of all the things the disciples of Jesus did wrong. Recall all the things they misunderstood. Remember the many times they blew the opportunity to do the right thing or say the right word. During Jesus' ministry, his disciples often...

 

[Jesus said, "When you rejoice after your sorrow,] you won't need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy. I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father. Then you will ask in my name. I'm not...

 

[Jesus prayed,] "I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me."

—John 17:6-8 NLT

Key Thought


The work God wants from us is to believe in his Son, the one God sent to earth (John 6:29)...

 

[Jesus prayed,] "I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began."

—John 17:4-5 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus did everything his Father told him to do. Imagine, finishing your task at such a young age! But isn't that what Jesus did? So often we don't look on obedience as a way to give God glory. Powerful praise songs in worship seem like a much more exciting way to give...

 

Jesus asked [his disciples], "Do you finally believe? But the time is coming — indeed it's here now — when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me."

—John 16:31-32 NLT

Key Thought


The disciples think they believe. They think they are courageous and loyal. Yet they will all scatter and leave Jesus alone. He will face the horrors of the cross by himself. Yes, the Father will go with him...

 

[Jesus said,] "Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father." Then his disciples said, "At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively. Now we understand that you know everything, and there's no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God."

—John 16:28-30 NLT

Key Thought


The story of Jesus is the great circle of grace. He began with the Father in heaven before time. He created all...

 

[Jesus said,] "In a little while you won't see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again." Some of the disciples asked each other, "What does he mean when he says, 'In a little while you won't see me, but then you will see me,' and 'I am going to the Father'? And what does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand." Jesus realized they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, "Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won't see...

 

[Jesus said,] "There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can't bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, 'The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.'"

—John 16:12-15 NLT

Key Thought...