John 17:6–19
The Bible4Jesus.com Podcast
About this episode
Here, the eternal Son speaks to the eternal Father, on the threshold of completing the work He was sent to do. To study this chapter is to take off our shoes, for the ground is holy. This is often called the High Priestly Prayer, and for good reason. The high priest in the Old Testament had two primary functions: to offer sacrifice and to make intercession for the people. He is praying for those the Father has given Him. This is a prayer drenched in the doctrines of election, predestination, and sovereign grace. If those doctrines make you uncomfortable, it is because you have not yet grasped the profound comfort that Jesus intends for us to find in them. In the first section of this prayer, Jesus prayed for Himself, for His glorification. Now, in this central section, He turns His full attention to His disciples, the men the Father gave Him.