Jesus delights in his disciples
May 25, 2021
17:1-26 What Jesus wants for us
Read John 17:6-10
The glorification of Jesus was for the benefit of all those whom the Father had given to him (17:2), so it is not surprising that Jesus then went on to pray for his disciples – they represented the completion of his work on earth (17:4). He had prepared them for the shock of his departure and for the work that they would then do in his name, reassuring them that they need not be anxious (14:1,27; 16:33). But even so, they were still struggling to understand and were about to desert him (16:31-32).
Which makes it all the more remarkable that Jesus committed them to the Father’s care and protection not only with deep affection and gratitude for them, but also with great confidence in their faith in him. They belong to him (6,9), because they have believed and accepted what he has revealed to them (7-8). As such they were different from the people of the world. Their faith, understanding, and obedience were still shaky, but nevertheless very real. The world’s response to Jesus had been to turn back from following him, but the disciples had recognised him as “the Holy One of God” who has “the words of eternal life” (6:66-69).
Consequently, it was the disciples in particular for whom Jesus prayed first (9). Jesus had earlier said, “All that belongs to the Father is mine” (16:15) and that same thought is echoed in his prayer (10a) but with the remarkable addition, “and glory has come to me through them” (10b). Even though Jesus shares in all the glory of the Father and the disciples were weak, their faith in Jesus honoured and pleased him. Bruce Milne comments: “This is a marvellous incentive to living for Christ, that he who has need of nothing may yet be glorified through our obedience and service”.