Christian Art | The Priestly Prayer Of Jesus | Easter To Pentecost
John 17: 1-11 | King James Audio Bible
THESE words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
The Priestly Prayer of Jesus concludes the discourse of the Last Supper. Immediately afterwards, Jesus will be arrested, betrayed. Jesus prays to his Father in a very moving way. He offers to the Father the imminent sacrifice of himself, praying that his sacrifice may be acceptable to the Father, that his holy human nature may be glorified. Jesus’ prayer is spoken aloud, so that his disciples and we also may receive his last testament, as Jesus intercedes on our behalf with the Father.
The Priestly Prayer of Jesus, also known as the High Priestly Prayer, is a powerful and moving passage that provides insight into the mind and heart of Jesus as he is about to face his arrest and crucifixion. In this prayer, Jesus is recorded as asking the Father to unite all believers, to protect them from the evil one, and to sanctify them through the truth. He also prays for the continuation of the mission that he started, through the apostles and through those who will come to believe in him through their message.
Throughout the centuries, Christian scholars and theologians have found this passage to be a source of inspiration and contemplation. Saint Augustine of Hippo saw it as a prayer for the unity of the Church, which is the body of Christ. Martin Luther, in his Lectures on John, said that in this prayer, Jesus ‘prays for the preservation of true doctrine and the unity of all believers.’
C.S. Lewis, in his book Reflections On The Psalms, wrote that ‘the whole passage is a magnificent prayer for the unity of all Christians. It is not only the unity of their faith that Jesus prays for, but also the unity of their love’.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his book The Cost Of Discipleship, saw the passage as a prayer for the unity of all believers, and believed that it was only through this unity that the Church could truly be the body of Christ on Earth.
This passage is a powerful reminder of the love of Jesus and the importance of unity among believers for the flourishing of the Church and for the continuation of Jesus’ mission in the world. Jesus’ prayer for unity and protection highlights the importance of staying united in faith and love, and being protected from the evil one in order to fulfill the mission that Jesus has started. It also reminds us of the importance of the truth in sanctifying us, and how it is through the truth that we can truly understand the will of God. As Jesus faced the ultimate sacrifice for humanity, his thoughts were not about himself but about the continuation of his mission through the believers, and this passage is a powerful testimony to his selfless love and devotion.
The glory Jesus speaks of is threefold. God the Father is glorified, because Christ has made the Father known to us, completing God’s plan for our salvation. Christ is glorified, as his divinity is fully revealed, to be seen by many people following the Resurrection. We also may be glorified, as through Christ we have the opportunity to turn from sin and death to attain eternal life.
Through these verses, we hear once more of the obedience of the Son to the Father’s will, and too of the unity of the divine persons, a model for the call to unity among all Christians, until we find perfect unity with Christ in heaven.
Jesus is solicitous for his disciples. They have heard his teachings, they have witnessed his miracles, they have believed in him and kept his word. Through this, they have shown themselves truly children of God. Jesus is preparing to leave the world. He asks his Father to help his disciples, to guide them and keep them safe as they are sent to work in the world, to preach the Gospel. The disciples will face great difficulties, through all of which, Jesus asks that they remain united. This is a call for all time to Christian unity.
‘The Son glorifies you, making you known to all those you have given him. Furthermore, if the knowledge of God is life eternal, we the more tend to life, the more we advance in this knowledge… There shall the praise of God be without end, where there shall be full knowledge of God; and because in heaven this knowledge shall be full, there shall glorying be of the highest.’ St Augustine
Liberation theology is a movement that emerged in Latin America in the 1960s and 1970s as a response to the region’s deep social and political injustices. It is a theology that emphasizes the importance of social and political action as a means of achieving liberation for the poor and marginalized. At its core, liberation theology seeks to address the structural roots of poverty and oppression, and to empower marginalized communities to take control of their own lives and destinies [ … ]
Scripture: John 14:27 ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ In this verse, Jesus offers his peace to his disciples, a peace that is different from what the world provides. This divine peace is deep, abiding, and capable of calming troubled hearts and dispelling fear. It is a peace that surpasses all understanding and is rooted in the presence and promises of Christ. Prayer Dear Jesus, I come before you, seeking your peace in my life. The world around me is filled with chaos and uncertainty, but I know that your peace can calm the storm within my heart. Help me to trust in you more deeply, to rest in your promises, and to feel your presence in every moment. Fill me with your peace that surpasses all understanding, and help me to be a vessel of your peace to those around me. Amen. Personal Reflection What areas of your life are causing you anxiety or fear? How can you invite Jesus’ peace into these areas? Reflect on a time when you experienced Christ’s peace amidst turmoil. Meditation On Prayer And Gospel John 14:27 reveals a profound truth about the nature of Jesus’ peace. Unlike the fleeting and often superficial peace offered by the world, Jesus’ peace is enduring and deeply transformative. This peace is not dependent on external circumstances but is anchored in the character and promises of Christ. As we navigate through life’s challenges, it’s crucial to understand and embrace this divine peace. Jesus’ peace is rooted in his presence. When he says, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you,’ Jesus is assuring us of his continual presence. This peace is a gift that flows from his abiding presence in our lives. It is a reminder that we are never alone, no matter what we face. his presence brings comfort and security, allowing us to rest even in the midst of life’s storms. Furthermore, Jesus contrasts his peace with the peace that the world gives. The world’s peace is often conditional and temporary, based on circumstances that can change in an instant. In contrast, Jesus’ peace is steadfast and eternal. It is a peace that reassures us in our deepest fears and anxieties, reminding us that he is in control. This peace transcends our understanding, as it is grounded in the eternal and unchanging nature of God. To experience Jesus’ peace, we must cultivate a relationship with him. This involves spending time in prayer, meditating on his word, and seeking his presence in our daily lives. It also means surrendering our worries and fears to Jesus, trusting that Jesus will provide and protect. As we draw closer to Jesus, his peace fills our hearts and minds, transforming our outlook and calming our spirits. One practical way to embrace Jesus’ peace is through prayer and meditation. By setting aside time each day to be still before the Lord, we create space for his peace to fill us. Reflecting on scriptures like John 14:27 can remind us of his promises and help us focus on his presence. Additionally, practicing gratitude can shift our focus from our worries to the many blessings in our lives, further opening our hearts to his peace. Another aspect of embracing Jesus’ peace is learning to let go of control. Often, our anxiety stems from a desire to control our circumstances. Jesus invites us to trust in his sovereign plan, even when we do not understand it. By surrendering our need for control and placing our trust in Him, we open ourselves to the peace that comes from knowing that He holds all things in his hands. Living in Jesus’ peace also means becoming peacemakers in our relationships and communities. As we experience his peace, we are called to extend that peace to others. This involves forgiving those who have wronged us, seeking reconciliation, and promoting harmony wherever we go. By being agents of his peace, we reflect his love and grace to a world in desperate need of his presence. Prayer Lord Jesus, Your peace is a precious gift that the world cannot give. In times of turmoil and distress, remind me to turn to you. Let your peace guard my heart and mind, dispelling all fear and anxiety. Teach me to trust in your unfailing love and to rest in your promises. Help me to be a peacemaker, sharing your peace with those around me. May your peace reign in my heart, my home, and my relationships. Thank you for your constant presence and the gift of your peace. Amen. Scripture: Matthew 5:9 ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ Blessing May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ fill your heart and mind, guiding you through every challenge and bringing you comfort and joy. May you rest in his unending peace and share it generously with those around you. Amen.
In Jerusalem, in the Temple, Jesus continues to teach his disciples, and to correct their understanding of what is truly of value in God’s eyes. The disciples continue to think in very worldly and material ways; they are still the same men who, on the occasion of the multiplication of loaves and fishes, asked the Lord: ‘Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?’ It seemed a lot of money to spend [ … ]
