J. C. Penney said it, “God wants to
possess me, not merely my possessions.” Have you ever known anyone who was so
possessed?
The man lived in Germany, his name was
Bengel. There was something about him that caused others to marvel. One such
man, a friend, desired that same intimacy, but he was uncertain about how to
get it. So, he decided to sneak into Bengel’s room one early evening to observe
his devotions. Entering the room and opening the closet door, he hid himself in
a place where he could observe everything. Within an hour, Bengel came in, sat
down at his table, and began reading the New Testament. The hours passed until
finally the clock in the corner struck midnight. With that the old man spread
out his hands, smiled broadly and said, “Dear Lord Jesus, we’re on the same
terms.” He closed the book, climbed into bed, and fell asleep.
John Knox was on the same terms. In
1572, as the Scottish Reformer lay dying, he asked a friend to come and read
him the Scripture. Though Knox was an Old Testament scholar, it wasn’t the Old
Testament he wanted. It wasn’t a miracle or a wonder, it was a prayer. Every
day until he died, John Knox wanted John 17 read to him.
Philip Melanchthon said it, “…no voice
has ever been heard, either in heaven or on earth, more exalted, more fruitful,
more sublime than this prayer offered up by the Son of God Himself.” We might
add, none more intimate either.
Think of it. Here in the presence of
His disciples Jesus has an intimate conversation with His Father. Now remember
these are the same men who asked Him months earlier to teach them to pray. In
response to their query Jesus gives them the model prayer, called, “The Lord’s
Prayer.” But here we have the Lord’s Prayer! This is the Lord of Glory speaking
to His Father and addressing two sets of needs—His needs and His friends’
needs.
The great Scottish Commentator Arthur
W. Pink says, “In John 17 the veil is drawn aside, and we are admitted with our
great High Priest into the holiest of all. Here we are able to enter the secret
place of the tabernacle of the Most High.” And here we are to listen to what is
on God’s mind.
This week we are going to examine much
of what is on Jesus’ mind (and heart) in this timeless intercession. It
behooves us to do just that, because Jesus is as focused on you and me in this
prayer as He is on Himself.
In preparation for this week’s message
entitled: “Livin’ on a Prayer”, I would encourage you to read and reread John
17 and see how many requests Jesus makes of His Father. Here’s a hint” He makes
the same number of requests for Himself as He does for all of His disciples,
including you and me. Here are some other questions that will assist you in
your examination of this magnificent prayer:
- Jesus’ prayer is tied directly to what He’s been saying in chapter 16. How does 16:33 work to prompt Jesus to pray?
- How do His words in chapter 16 reflect themselves in His prayer?
- In verse 1 Jesus uses the word “glorify” twice. What does “glorify” mean and who does He wish to be glorified?
- What’s Jesus mean in verse 2 when He says that His Father has given Him authority over all flesh?
- How does this statement, and the one following it (about eternal life), set up the balance of the prayer?
- How does the Father honor Jesus’ request in verse 5?
- Who does Jesus credit for the election of those who are saved? (see verse 6.)
- What word would you use to describe the similarity between the Father and the Son as expressed in verse 8?
- How do we add to Jesus’ glorification as mentioned in verse 10?
- How does it make you feel to know that Jesus included you in His prayer in verse 20?
Doug
