“I am praying for them.”
John 17:9
TAKING COMFORT IN JESUS’ PRAYER! That’s what I hope will happen for you over the next few weeks as we make our way through John 17. Many of you know that this passage has traditionally been called “the High Priestly Prayer” of Jesus. The reason for that is because, just as the high priest in the Old Testament would pray for the people of Israel just before He went into God’s presence to offer sacrifice on the Day of Atonement, so Jesus, here, intercedes for His people, lifting them up before God just before He goes to the cross to offer the full and final sacrifice for their sins. That’s what makes this chapter in John one of the most high and holy places in the Bible as we get to listen in and gain insight into the heart of Christ for those He came to save.
That’s why the five words I’ve quoted (above) from John 17:9 truly astound me. Jesus says, “I am praying for them.” Meaning who? Initially, it’s clear He means the disciples themselves, those eleven men (Judas is now gone) who were standing near Him as he prayed. But then, when we get to v 20 we find Him saying that this prayer is not just for them alone, but also for “those who will believe in me through their word.” In other words, Jesus wants to make sure we know that we are included in this prayer, too! I take great comfort in that thought (and believe you should as well, if you’re a Christian). It’s as if Christ has taken you by the hand, laid his arm around your shoulder, placed his hand on your head and begun to pray for you by name that God the Father would see to it that everything He has promised you is delivered in the end! And in a very real way, that’s exactly what we have in this prayer: Christ’s own assurance to us that the Father will see to it that the salvation He has purchased on our behalf, cannot fail. Take comfort in that dear Christian. Meditate on these words and drink them in. That’s why he gave them to you!
Standing in Awe of God’s great love in Christ for His own!
Pastor Scott