06.08.2015 New Testament: John 17.11

To read the Bible in a year, read John 17 on June 8, In the year of our Lord 2015

By Don Ruhl

John 17 records the prayer of Jesus before He went to the Garden of Gethsemane, where He would pray some more. However, in the Garden He prayed for Himself, and in John 17, He prayed for His apostles and for those who would believe their words. That is us. Listen to part of His prayer,

“Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are” (John 17.11). 

Jesus was about to leave them, and He would go to the comfort of the Father, but they would remain in the hostility of the world. Therefore, they needed strength from on high that they would be one, even as the Father and the Son are one. In verse 20, Jesus told the Father that this prayer was also for us! Therefore, go out courageously into the world and fill your life with good works.