The High Priestly Prayer
to open up, our most favored, long deceased, radio Bible teacher of the airwaves, J Vernon McGee shares a few words about why this is actually the real Lord’s prayer. He also states that this prayer can be divided into three parts. The first five verses are Jesus praying regarding himself and unity to the father. The bulk of the middle of the prayer is regarding his prayer for his disciples, and by extension all believers. The final section is related to his church.
Even though we stop in the middle of the chapter, the session runs longer than we like to for these deep dive episodes. Naturally, there is more to say about Jesus’ prayer for his disciples and will have to finish that next time.
Jesus prayer regarding himself, verses one through five.
Jesus’ posture of prayer, “lifting up his eyes”, reflects the typical Jewish and ancient world posture for prayer. The hour has come. All through Jesus ministry he referred to the time that had not yet come. Now that it has arrived, we find out what the mission for his hour is all about. It was to glorify. To glorify both the father and himself.
Verses two and three expand on the concepts in verse one. Jesus brackets his mission by stating he has authority to give eternal life. His authority is over all flesh. That means over all people through all times, throughout the world. However, the only ones who will receive eternal life are those who the father has given to him. Not everyone will be saved. God predestines the elect, in other words those who believe and trust him.
The second thing he describes is eternal life. What is eternal life? What will heaven be like? Knowing God, and knowing Christ.
Illustration: A worm might be content in the earth where it lives. A human is higher than that, and is not satisfied and remaining there.
In the nature of the earth, we enjoy this world while were here. In the nature and relationship believers have in heaven, our satisfaction will be in the ongoing and eternal growth in knowledge of God in Christ.
In closing his prayer about himself, Jesus claims he has accomplished God’s work.
Weight. I thought Jesus didn’t say it was finished until his last breath on the cross.
His mission in gathering lost sheep, healing the sick, casting out demons and training disciples has now been complete. Although he wouldn’t utter those words on the cross for several more hours, the event of his crucifixion was currently underway. Judas had already departed, and was at this moment arranging to turn Jesus over to the religious authorities.
The hour had come. Jesus would soon be reunited with the father. He would receive his glory, while the father is glorified through the crucifixion.
Jesus prayer regarding his disciples (versus 6-19).
Jesus’ mission was to manifest God’s name, or authority. He made that authority clear to the men who God gave to him. The disciples were a gift. A gift chosen by God. They were men of the world, but they were gods, and a gift given to Jesus.
Jesus acknowledges that they have come to know. To know what?
Whether they understood it or not, and they probably didn’t, they knew that everything Jesus has, has been given to him by God. Things like supernatural ability, and Godly wisdom.
The disciples were receptive to the words Jesus taught them. Words that came directly from God.
They received those words, but did they understand them? They fully Understood, not the words. They fully understood that Jesus came from God, that he was sent to them.
Bible challenge!
9 “I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours;
NASB
does Jesus pray for the world, or only his disciples? Listen in for the full solution, but here’s a quick response:
At this point Jesus prayer is specific. He’s praying only for his 11 disciples who were present. He’s asking on behalf strictly of these men who belong to God, and that God has given to Jesus.
Christ and the father have a unified relationship. Both Jesus and the father share all possessions between themselves. They are unified, and glorified together and what they have and do.
Jesus makes the statement, “I am no longer in the world”. As far as Jesus’ mission and purpose, his days in the world are finished. The mission of the disciples will continue in the world. Because of this, Jesus knows the dangers ahead and is asking God’s protection on these men who have been gifted to him.
Jesus is returning to the holy father. This specific title that he uses reflects Holiness, probably the highest of God’s attributes.
He asked God to keep them in his name. Which means he desires the disciples to be kept , protected, preserved or sustain. He claims this under God’s name, or authority which is the same that Christ had claimed. This same authority extended to these disciples.
While he was with them Jesus kept Them, preserve them. He also adds another layer to how he kept Them, he safeguarded them. Under his guard, none of them perished. Except one.
The term, “Son of perdition” is used in only one other passage in the NT. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3 it is applied to the Antichrist.
When Jesus uses the phrase Son of perdition, in regards to Scripture being fulfilled, he might Possibly be referring to:
Psalm 69
25 May their camp be desolate;
May none dwell in their tents.Psalm 109
6 Appoint a wicked man over him,
And let an accuser stand at his right hand.
7 When he is judged, let him come forth guilty,
And let his prayer become sin.
8 Let his days be few;
Let another take his office.
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