What Jesus Did

[Jesus continued his prayer:] "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, social...

 

[Jesus continued his prayer:] "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...

 

[Jesus continued his prayer:] "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 be God's beloved children. Now Jesus sends his disciples (including us) into the world to make a difference for those we meet and show them how they can be different from the world. Jesus gives himself totally...

 

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[Jesus continued his prayer: "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 continued his prayer:] "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 continued his prayer:] "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." [1] From his birth to his resurrection and to his coming again to...

 

[Jesus continued his prayer:] "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 going...

 

[Jesus continued his prayer:] "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 — as...

 

[Jesus continued his prayer:] "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 continued his prayer,] "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, [1] the one God sent to earth. Jesus...