John 17:1-26

JESUS PRAYS.

This chapter is often titled, ‘the great prayer of Jesus’ or ‘Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer’. The title is secondary, the content is supreme.

This is like an extended version of the Lord’s Prayer ‘Our Father …… Amen’.

In his ONE VOLUME BIBLE COMMENTARY, William Neil calls this Jesus’ "matchless prayer of self-consecration as he turns His face to the cross".

In 2000, we lead a trip to Eastern Europe, ending with our attending the Oberammergau Passion Play. For nearly 3 weeks we had covered thousands of kilometres touring 5 or 6 countries in Eastern Europe. Even though we used the word pilgrimage to describe our trip, we were tourists, soaking up the history, sights, museums, shops, entertainment, attractions, etc. offered by that marvellous part of God’s creation.

Then, one day, we took a sudden change in attitude. We took off our tourist hats and put on our pilgrim hats. We set our sights directly on Oberammergau, and we were now focusing on the Cross (Passion Play) of Jesus. It was amazing how we all seemed to grasp this at the same moment. We were determined to do what we came for.

Jesus, in this prayer, is now determined to do what he came for, namely to take all of humanity onto Himself, and through the cross and resurrection to bring us all to new life.

So He prays.

As you read this prayer that Jesus prepared for you, READ it SLOWLY and spend a few minutes reflecting on each ‘petition’ (statement) of the Prayer.

Jesus does it all for you.

(Today's post submitted by guest writer, Rev. Hollis Hiscock.)