John 17King James Version (KJV)
John 17 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
This chapter is called the High Priestly Prayer, because Jesus is praying to His Father. The wording is quite simple and easily memorized because of the meter and the repetition. Most of the effect is still clear in English, so this is both a prayer and an address to believers.
2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
The Father-Son relationship explains to us the complete harmony between Them, an antidote for today's Life of Jesus movement. People separate the Son from the Father, making the Savior gracious while the Father is condemning and harsh. They also pick apart the Fourth Gospel, which attacks their rationalism without mercy. This Gospel teaches faith and soars above the others - symbolized by the eagle for John.
The word for power is difficult to translate, because it really means divine power and authority in the New Testament, far beyond man's power or authority. Jesus taught with divine power, unlike the Scribes and Pharisees.
The Father-Son relationship explains to us the complete harmony between Them, an antidote for today's Life of Jesus movement. People separate the Son from the Father, making the Savior gracious while the Father is condemning and harsh. They also pick apart the Fourth Gospel, which attacks their rationalism without mercy. This Gospel teaches faith and soars above the others - symbolized by the eagle for John.
The word for power is difficult to translate, because it really means divine power and authority in the New Testament, far beyond man's power or authority. Jesus taught with divine power, unlike the Scribes and Pharisees.
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Those who contrast the Father and the Son have not paid attention to this Gospel. Many want to adopt the popular notion that everyone is forgiven and saved, using the grace of God - but not the Word of God - as their argument.
Eternal life is faith in the Father and the One He Sent. Thus the apostles are the ones Jesus sent to teach this message. Believing is forgiveness and salvation. Unbelief is neither forgiveness nor salvation.
Those who contrast the Father and the Son have not paid attention to this Gospel. Many want to adopt the popular notion that everyone is forgiven and saved, using the grace of God - but not the Word of God - as their argument.
Eternal life is faith in the Father and the One He Sent. Thus the apostles are the ones Jesus sent to teach this message. Believing is forgiveness and salvation. Unbelief is neither forgiveness nor salvation.
4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
We should not overlook "the work," which is everything the Son did up to this point. The Fourth Gospel teaches the work of Jesus clearly and uses work in the sense of our faith in Him. Our work is to trust in Him as the One Sent by God the Father.
The UOJ fanatics want to discourage people from faith, because "you are making faith a good work!" - they say with alarm. This exchange is ironic, because Jesus has many mighty works and our work is to believe in Him Whom God Sent.
Because UOJ repudiates faith, its advocates are prime examples of the righteousness of works. They never stop talking about how superior they are and how much they do - and it is only talk.
We should not overlook "the work," which is everything the Son did up to this point. The Fourth Gospel teaches the work of Jesus clearly and uses work in the sense of our faith in Him. Our work is to trust in Him as the One Sent by God the Father.
John 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
The UOJ fanatics want to discourage people from faith, because "you are making faith a good work!" - they say with alarm. This exchange is ironic, because Jesus has many mighty works and our work is to believe in Him Whom God Sent.
Because UOJ repudiates faith, its advocates are prime examples of the righteousness of works. They never stop talking about how superior they are and how much they do - and it is only talk.
5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
The Life of Jesus hippies want to make Jesus human, that is - only human. They deny the pre-existence of the Son, which is clearly taught here. The Son had glory beside the Father in eternity, before the universe existed.
The Life of Jesus hippies want to make Jesus human, that is - only human. They deny the pre-existence of the Son, which is clearly taught here. The Son had glory beside the Father in eternity, before the universe existed.
6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
Jesus teaches with great clarity that the Father gave Him this mission, this work, so everything we see and experience in the Savior is the work, the will, the actions of the Father.
8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
Jesus teaches with great clarity that the Father gave Him this mission, this work, so everything we see and experience in the Savior is the work, the will, the actions of the Father.
9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
The plight of Christians in an unbelieving world is to suffer because of the Word, from murder and persecutions to snubbing and the exalting of the gross and abnormal. The helpful clerics want to give us practical advice, but Jesus teaches faith in Him as the answer, a bitter pill for the gurus of the day.
The plight of Christians in an unbelieving world is to suffer because of the Word, from murder and persecutions to snubbing and the exalting of the gross and abnormal. The helpful clerics want to give us practical advice, but Jesus teaches faith in Him as the answer, a bitter pill for the gurus of the day.
11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
The apostates want us to think that Jesus was praying for the World Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches, and other abominations. This does not mean one in organization and funding, but unity in faith. That is clear to anyone who speaks to a mixed group about faith in Christ. The believers nod and smile. The unbelievers (clergy and council members) cross their arms in anger and shift nervously.
The apostates want us to think that Jesus was praying for the World Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches, and other abominations. This does not mean one in organization and funding, but unity in faith. That is clear to anyone who speaks to a mixed group about faith in Christ. The believers nod and smile. The unbelievers (clergy and council members) cross their arms in anger and shift nervously.
12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
This is a wonderful play on the contrast between being in the world without being of the world. The world hates what God loves, and God hates what the world loves. The "successful" clergy are materialistic and spin their message for the rich and powerful, hoping to share the crumbs of wealth and power. Whether laity or clergy, the materialistic Sons of Mammon are unbelievers. The hurts felt by the rich are their hurts, and they translate that into real punishment for believers - financial excommunication and extending the Left Foot of Fellowship. The radical Left has nothing on the Sons of Mammon, because the faux-Christians do their work on the inside and capture the rewards for it.
Nevertheless, sincere believers share the joy of Christ, because they experience and see the fruits of the Gospel, no matter what the circumstances. The Father and Son watch over them and blunt the forces of evil.
This is a wonderful play on the contrast between being in the world without being of the world. The world hates what God loves, and God hates what the world loves. The "successful" clergy are materialistic and spin their message for the rich and powerful, hoping to share the crumbs of wealth and power. Whether laity or clergy, the materialistic Sons of Mammon are unbelievers. The hurts felt by the rich are their hurts, and they translate that into real punishment for believers - financial excommunication and extending the Left Foot of Fellowship. The radical Left has nothing on the Sons of Mammon, because the faux-Christians do their work on the inside and capture the rewards for it.
Nevertheless, sincere believers share the joy of Christ, because they experience and see the fruits of the Gospel, no matter what the circumstances. The Father and Son watch over them and blunt the forces of evil.
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Sanctify is a nice Latinate word, which really means "make them holy." All believers are saints, the word used in the New Testament for believers. Believing is forgiveness, and forgiveness makes us holy with the righteousness of Christ. Jesus constantly taught believing in Him and the Father because the beginning of sin is unbelief. The beginning of folly is unbelief. And the beginning of false doctrine is departing from the clear, plain utterances of the Savior.
Why are seminary enrollments in the basement - in all denominations? The lazy rationalistic professors teach unbelief, and that means spending a small fortune to learn the lessons of Mammon. The seminaries are giving brine to the thirsty and spoiled food to the hungry - no wonder the marbled halls sound so empty.
Sanctify is a nice Latinate word, which really means "make them holy." All believers are saints, the word used in the New Testament for believers. Believing is forgiveness, and forgiveness makes us holy with the righteousness of Christ. Jesus constantly taught believing in Him and the Father because the beginning of sin is unbelief. The beginning of folly is unbelief. And the beginning of false doctrine is departing from the clear, plain utterances of the Savior.
Why are seminary enrollments in the basement - in all denominations? The lazy rationalistic professors teach unbelief, and that means spending a small fortune to learn the lessons of Mammon. The seminaries are giving brine to the thirsty and spoiled food to the hungry - no wonder the marbled halls sound so empty.
18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Here Jesus prays for the mission of the apostles. They are sent by Him, just as He was sent by the Father. He is the Teacher and the Example. Unless one is utterly convinced of the Truth of His Word, the message will be blunted, if even muttered. Worst of all, it can be twisted inside-out and cleverly nuanced to nullify and destroy faith in the name of grace.
We are the ones Jesus is praying for - the ones converted by the Word passed down through the apostles and faithful teachers. That anyone still believes in Him today is a testimony to the power of the Word in midst of decay, apostasy, rationalism, and Thrivent-funded Reformation films.
Here Jesus prays for the mission of the apostles. They are sent by Him, just as He was sent by the Father. He is the Teacher and the Example. Unless one is utterly convinced of the Truth of His Word, the message will be blunted, if even muttered. Worst of all, it can be twisted inside-out and cleverly nuanced to nullify and destroy faith in the name of grace.
We are the ones Jesus is praying for - the ones converted by the Word passed down through the apostles and faithful teachers. That anyone still believes in Him today is a testimony to the power of the Word in midst of decay, apostasy, rationalism, and Thrivent-funded Reformation films.
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
This is such a powerful message about the invisible One, Holy Christian Church. I have friends from many denominations, and there is a unity in Christian Faith that is not found in the organized, visible church. The Mammonites teach their organization while the believers teach faith in Christ. This unity through faith is a reflection of the unity in the Three Persons. Jesus is in us, and the Father is in Jesus. The Father loves those who believe in the Son.
This is such a powerful message about the invisible One, Holy Christian Church. I have friends from many denominations, and there is a unity in Christian Faith that is not found in the organized, visible church. The Mammonites teach their organization while the believers teach faith in Christ. This unity through faith is a reflection of the unity in the Three Persons. Jesus is in us, and the Father is in Jesus. The Father loves those who believe in the Son.
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| Duerer - The Adoration of the Holy Trinity. |
24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
Even the casual reader will notice the majesty of these words - You loved me before the foundation of the world. The unbelieving world rejects or corrupts the message of the Savior. His work and Word exceed the glories of the world, which He created.
Even the casual reader will notice the majesty of these words - You loved me before the foundation of the world. The unbelieving world rejects or corrupts the message of the Savior. His work and Word exceed the glories of the world, which He created.
