InstaStudy

A Prayer for Unity and Glory

An in-depth study of John chapter 17, exploring Jesus's profound prayer for himself, his disciples, and all future believers, emphasizing the nature of God and the call to unity.

1. Jesus's Prayer for His Own Glorification

1.1 The Purpose of Glorification

Verses: John 17:1; John 17:4
  • Jesus seeks to glorify the Father through the completion of His earthly mission.
  • The Father's glory is revealed through the Son's obedience and sacrifice.

1.2 The Source of Eternal Life

Verses: John 17:2; John 17:3
  • Eternal life is knowing the only true God and Jesus, whom He sent.
  • Jesus, as the sent one, is the conduit through whom God grants life.

1.3 Pre-existent Glory

Verses: John 17:5
  • Jesus speaks of a glory He shared with the Father before the world began.
  • This refers to the divine glory of the Spirit of God, who would later manifest as Jesus.

2. Jesus's Prayer for His Immediate Disciples

2.1 Manifesting God's Name

Verses: John 17:6; John 17:8
  • Jesus revealed the Father's character and authority to His disciples.
  • The disciples recognized Jesus's divine origin and mission.

2.2 Divine Preservation

Verses: John 17:11; John 17:12
  • Jesus prayed for the Father to keep His disciples in His name.
  • This protection ensures their spiritual safety and unity.

2.3 Sanctification Through Truth

Verses: John 17:17; John 17:19
  • Jesus prayed for His disciples to be set apart by God's truth.
  • God's Word is the means by which believers are sanctified.

3. Jesus's Prayer for All Future Believers

3.1 The Desire for Unity

Verses: John 17:20
  • Jesus prayed for all who would believe through the disciples' message.
  • The goal is a profound unity among believers, reflecting the unity of God.

3.2 The Nature of Divine Unity

Verses: John 17:21; John 17:23
  • Believers are to be one, just as the Father is in Jesus and Jesus in the Father.
  • This unity is a spiritual indwelling and perfect accord, demonstrating God's singular presence.

3.3 Sharing in Glory and Love

Verses: John 17:22; John 17:26
  • Jesus imparts the glory given to Him by the Father to believers.
  • Believers are to experience the same divine love that the Father has for Jesus.

4. The Nature of God Revealed in Prayer

4.1 The 'Only True God'

Verses: John 17:3
  • Jesus identifies the Father as the 'only true God'.
  • Jesus, as the sent one, is the manifestation of this one true God.

4.2 The Unity of Father and Son

Verses: John 17:11; John 17:21; John 17:23
  • Jesus states, 'as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee'.
  • This describes an inseparable, singular divine being, not two distinct persons.
  • The Father is the Spirit, and the Son is the human manifestation of that Spirit.

4.3 The Pre-existent Glory of God

Verses: John 17:5; John 17:24
  • Jesus speaks of the glory He had with the Father before the world.
  • This refers to the eternal glory of the one God, who later took on flesh as Jesus.