Psalm 21:1-7 / John 17:1-7

The end of what is known as Jesus’ “farewell discourse” in the Gospel of John — chapters 14-17 — is a high-priestly prayer offered by Jesus on behalf of his disciples. This prayer comprises all of John 17; however, we will read only John 17:1-11 on this seventh and last Sunday of the season of Easter.

Read all of John 17 in order to understand the high priestly prayer Jesus offers on behalf of his disciples (including us). It is called “high priestly” because Jesus is interceding with the Father on our behalf. This was a function of the high priest in Jewish tradition, praying on behalf of all Israel.

There are two themes running through all of John 17.

The first theme is the intimacy among Jesus, the Father, and the disciples. This shows up in the “I in you, and they in me” phraseology. Read through John 17 and pull this out. How would you paraphrase the relations among God the Father/Creator, Jesus, and disciples (including yourself)?

The second theme is the disconnect between Jesus and “the world”, and between the disciples and “the world”. Since “God so loved the world…” (John 3:16), how do we square this disconnect? Is the world evil? A clue can be found in John 17:16.

Now go back and read John 17:1-11. How are you “in Christ” and “in the world” specifically as a disciple?