John 18:1-6 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. 4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
 
JOHN 18 relates Jesus’ arrest and trials before Jewish authorities and Pontius Pilate. To help us understand John’s view of these events, it is  helpful to know John does not offer the same details as the other gospels. Some of these differences are easy to explain. Some are less clear because we do not have all the information. Still, we can be assured of Scripture’s truth to know all gospels agree that 1) Jesus was arrested at night in Gethsemane. 2) Judas led the arresting party. 3) Jesus was tried before the Jewish councils and Pilate. 4) Peter denied knowing Jesus. 5) Jesus was condemned and crucified. 6) Jesus died and was buried in a tomb. 7) Jesus rose from the dead. 8) Jesus ascended to Heaven.
   This may seem obvious to most of us; yet, we must be aware the world and many “scholars” will try to sidetrack our faith with, “The gospels tell the story differently.” In truth, these differences help us understand more and affirm the story is not a lie the disciples and early church developed to support their claims.
   One of the differences in Jesus’ arrest is in verse 6: When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. What’s happening here? We can understand why John records this detail when we understand its meaning. What seems to us as Jesus simply identifying himself to the arresting guard, he is again declaring his divine status. Remember how John records several “I am” statements of Jesus: “I am the Good shepherd … the Living Water … the Gate … the Resurrection and the Life, etc. He does the same here. With “I am he.” Jesus is declaring he is the divine “I AM”, the eternal God. He had said this to the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:25-26 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.” With, “I am he.” Jesus declared he is God in the flesh, come to save the Jews and mankind from our sins. Then his divine power is displayed as the arresting party drew back and fell to the ground. This is the response in the Scriptures of all who confront the holy God. When the holy God reveals himself, we can only fall to the ground in fear and worship. Note, too, the arresting party is acting under Jesus’ permission and authority. He knows they are coming. He goes to meet them. He has been teaching his disciples and praying for them. Now I AM is prepared to be arrested and confront death, so you will be free to live forever. 

John 17:24-26 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25 Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
 
WHAT do you want for the people you love? You want them to be safe and well. You want them to live in peace, joy and love with you and with others. You want them to face uncertain days and trials with a hope and trust in the Lord’s care. In short, you want what is good for them as defined in God’s Word. Most of all, you want them in the Lord’s care, saved to eternal life.
   Yes, the Bible tells you what Jesus wants for you. As you are his disciple, he wants you to see him in Heaven, so you will fully see his glory. In love and joy, Jesus’ desire is for you to live in God’s righteousness. No sin can exist in Jesus’ glorious presence. In Heaven is the full display of God’s holy character. Foreseeing and anticipating God’s great salvation, the psalmist proclaimed: Psalms 24:7 Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.  
   Does this stir your heart to desire God’s presence? If not, I pray you come to that place in your faith walk. Celebrate the glory Jesus wants you know forever! Know the King of Glory, Jesus has come through Heaven’s gate to open your way to his Father’s house. He has said that in John 14:1-3 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” And he says it here. Do you need more proof? Then remember: But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:4-5)
   The gospel of God is true. The King of Glory has lifted the gates of Heaven to welcome you in by the blood of the Son. Believe it and rejoice. 
 

John 17:22-23 “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
 
TO continue from the previous scripture, Jesus remains in prayer for God’s people to be as one church united in God. This unity will increase as we understand the glory Jesus has given us. What, then, does Jesus mean when he prays, “I have given them (the disciples) the glory that you gave me that they may be one as we are one”?  
   God’s glory is God’s splendor and holy character. Jesus has given to his disciples then and throughout history the splendor and holiness of belonging to God. This is about the Holy Spirit sanctifying us into God’s holiness through the forgiveness of our sins in Jesus. Jesus has displayed God’s glory through his incarnation, resurrection and ascension. As we confess Christ, then, we become one church, united in our confession of Jesus’ glorious work.
   What happens when God’s people on earth know and understand God’s glory and holy character? First, we become more submissive to God in our obedience and worship. Second, we become more loving toward God and toward one another. Division disappears when God’s people truly know God’s holy splendor has transformed their lives. United in God’s glory and holy character, a church is unstoppable to do God’s will on earth.
   Receive the glory of God Jesus has revealed to you. Know the glory of God is to understand his beauty, purity and love. The more we understand God has gifted us with his glory and his holiness, the more we will ascribe – give – to the Lord our true worship: 1 Chronicles 16:27 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place. 28 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength, 29 ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. Listen and receive Jesus’ prayer for your life. Understand the praise of 1 Chronicles is an example for your worshipful heart. Rejoice and be glad!
 
Prayer: Father in Heaven, holy be your name. May I live as one with all of your people on earth, proclaiming your glory, worshiping you because you are holy. Amen.
 

John 17:20-21 “I pray not only for them, but also for those who believe in me because of their message. 21 I pray that they may all be one.”
 
DO you want to know Jesus loves you? Then please see John 17 as Jesus’ loving words to the Father for you. The apostle John reveals our Lord as one who deeply loves God the Father and all who are his disciples in this “High Priestly Prayer”. Jesus not only asked the Father to watch over his disciples who were with him that night, he petitioned God to unite and protect all who believe in me because of their message through the ages.
   In this prayer is a crucial responsibility and a great promise to all disciples. From the first disciples, belief in Jesus would go into the world as they spoke, wrote and lived the gospel message. There would be no future disciples if the message was silent among the first 12. The responsibility has not changed through the ages. There is no future church if we are silent about God’s gospel.
   Within this responsibility to speak the message is Jesus’ promise the message will advance the gospel. The message will cause new believers. The King of the Kingdom has the expansion plan. Be God’s messenger in his plan. Be intentional to find ways to deliver his message to people yet to know him. Jesus has promised this will save more souls.
   I know many of us find it discouraging to speak the good news. People often turn away or turn against us if we attempt to offer the gospel’s power of salvation. But we must always remember Jesus’ promise. As you find ways to make this your life habit, know the Spirit will act through your words to awaken some people to know Jesus. To begin, you can be purposeful to follow the message system at home. God set this long ago in Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. It begins with God’s love. Then tell the message to  your family, friends and neighbors.
   And please note Jesus prayed that all believers may be one with each other! Our Great High Priest wants us to be one under God! How sad it is in the Christian church to allow very minor differences and personal preferences to separate us. Instead, we must center our minds on the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As we are one with God, we will be one with others who are united in God’s purpose.
   Let’s consider this: The next time we are inclined to speak of how the church next door is different or how someone’s faith is not in line with ours, stop and pray all of us may be one under God’s gospel message.
   What a remarkable, loving Savior Jesus is! He prayed his specific plan to change the world. He included each disciple in history into the plan, so his church will be one under God’s salvation. 

John 17:17-19 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.”
 
JESUS says, “Sanctify them…”  It’s a good thing he doesn’t teach in our churches today. Too many label “sanctify” as a “churchy” word, too complicated to understand. There seems to be a fear that such Bible-based words will keep people away from church. “Sanctify” (or some versions of the Bible use “consecrate” “dedicate” or “set apart”) though, must be taught. It is God’s essential way to save you from sin. Let’s understand why this is true.
   First of all, God sanctified a particular man Abraham from a pagan culture to be the father of Israel. God sanctified the people Israel from all the world to be the nation to display his glory through centuries of redeeming work. Out of the sanctified Israel came the Savior. Note carefully how the epistle Hebrews describes Jesus: Such a high priest meets our need — one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. (Hebrews 7:26) When Jesus said, “I sanctify myself.” he is setting apart his life unto death, so he can purchase eternal salvation for all who will confess him, “Lord and Savior.”
   Further, sanctification for God’s people is both a one-time and an ongoing action. When God set apart Abraham, kings and prophets, each entered a spiritual journey to lean and live into God’s laws. The same is true for us. When the Spirit sanctified you from your sin nature, you entered into God’s eternal holy presence. 1 Corinthians 1:2 to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ – their Lord and ours.
   That is just the beginning. From that miraculous moment, you then began an ongoing sanctifying, setting apart journey from worldly ways to God’s righteousness. God set your life on a faith track. It is your responsibility to move spiritually forward to gain a full, fruitful life. Another way to say this is that your heart is to become more and more full of God. Through s growing knowledge of God, you come to reject a love of the world. Instead you grown to love the Lord with all your heart, mind soul and strength. You understand more deeply God’s holy character. A sanctifying walk with God leads you to God’s Promised Land of the Spirit’s abundant power and blessings. You rejoice with awe and wonder the holy God has set you apart to make you holy to be in his presence.
   Jesus, of course, knows the disciples are sanctified. Their love and joy in Jesus is about to become the core of their souls. Soon they will begin a new, difficult journey to make disciples of all the nations. Jesus prays their lives are dedicated to display God’s holiness in the sanctifying gospel.
          Do you believe Jesus is your Savior? Then rejoice a sanctified life is God’s gift to you. Be eager to tell people, “By God’s grace, I am sanctified in Jesus’ blood. Can I tell you why that fills my heart with love, peace and joy?”  

John 17:13-16 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within my disciples. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.”
 
ONE reason for Jesus’ prayer is to, “say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.” even as the devil will assault them.
   How can Jesus’ disciples have joy – the full measure of Jesus’ joy – amid opposition and temptation? How will joy find room in their hearts when their beloved Jesus is gone?
   What is joy? Jesus connects joy to a believer’s active love for him and for others. For example, he taught complete joy is the fruit of obeying Jesus and living in his love: John 15:10 “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” And Luke reports Jesus’ joy as the Father blesses his disciples to heal on a particular mission. It is evidence their “names are written in Heaven.” (Luke 10:20c) Joy is the sum of a faithful life that strives to live in complete agreement with the Lord. Joy is to know in your heart of God’s special care and protection over your eternal soul, even as the world opposes you.
   The disciples would first know this complete joy when they see the
resurrected Lord ascended to Heaven. While Jesus was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into Heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. (Luke 24:51-52) There is no greater intimacy with Christ than to know, “Jesus is my Savior. In him I have eternal life.” Countless people throughout the ages have lovingly and joyfully surrendered their lives to hateful persecution because they fully knew Jesus saves. Joy is a shield to protect our souls.
   If you experience this faithful relationship with Jesus, remain in joy. Live in joy knowing Jesus is joyful you are saved.  
         

John 17:9-12 “I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name – the name you gave me – so that they may be one as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.”
 
JESUS’ ministry was empowered with prayer for the Jews and
the world. He has taught us prayer is necessary for all circumstances. He has even commanded prayer for our enemies because all people are under God’s sovereign care. “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in Heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:44)  
   Prayer also unifies us as God’s people, regardless of the many cultures, customs and traditions that might separate us. Sometimes we pray for the world. Sometimes we pray specifically for one person or a particular group of people. This is what Jesus does here. Jesus, of course, knew the disciples would need God’s wisdom, power and protection.
   As we know, these things came from the Holy Spirit – the Helper – in the name of the Lord God Almighty. This is the “I AM” God of creation. He is the One who protected the Hebrews in Egypt then empowered  them to conquer the Promised Land. He protected them under his name as they were in Babylon’s exile. Now the Lord God has anointed 12 men (Judas will be replaced) to build his church on earth. The Bible is God’s story of redemption through his choosing and empowering particular people to be the workers of God’s salvation plan.
   Learn from Jesus’ prayer. We must always be diligent to pray for the world at large. And we must be particular to pray for people in Jesus’ church. Pray for God to protect your loved ones, your country, your community and your church. Prayer in faith is a mighty weapon against evil’s constant assaults.   
   Pray, too, that your words and works will glorify God. What you say and do as Jesus’ disciple is very important to help your family, church, neighbors and even your enemies see Jesus. You glorify God when people see his magnificent love, grace and mercy through you. Be as one with the Son and Father. Display the Holy God to a world in need.
 

John 17:6-8 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me, and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me, and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.”
 
AFTER Jesus has spent some time challenging his disciples to understand his truths, his prayer now acknowledges the faith forming in their hearts. Three important truths are in this passage.
   First, the disciples have come to know the Father through Jesus. Remember how Jesus has repeatedly taught he ministered in the Father’s words: John 12:49 “For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it.” And he confirmed, “If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." (John 14:7) He has spoken Heaven’s words as Heaven directed. The disciples have received the Father’s knowledge through Jesus’ practical application of God’s nature. Consider, Christian, that your knowledge of God originates in God. He has so loved you, he has come in the Word, the flesh and the Spirit to teach you of himself. When we know God, we know how to live in true faith every day.
   Second, in addition to knowledge, Jesus confirms the disciples’ faith originated with God’s choice. God’s authority is sovereign to move his creation, including any one person, in the way and purpose he desires. These disciples were in the world with all humanity. Then God brought them into a new place of faith. When Jesus had said, “Come, follow me.” he obeyed the Father’s eternal appointment on each man. As you have faith in God, know your faith originates with God. You are his creation. He has chosen you from among the world to believe in Jesus as God’s Son, Savior and Redeemer.
   The third truth here is the disciples know Jesus came from the Father. Yes, Jesus has certainly challenged them. But their faith is now secure as they believe Jesus is the Son of God, who has come from Heaven. Remember that John 17 is Jesus’ prayer for his disciples. We see him as the High Priest. The priests would offer sacrifices and prayers of praise, confession, and petition, so God’s people would atone for their sins know the Lord’s blessings. Jesus is the High Priest thanking the Father for choosing his closest disciples to know God.
   Jesus loves his disciples. He wants them safe with the Father. The same is true for you today. How do you respond to the one who so loves you? Here’s a good way: “Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.” (Hebrews 3:1) Yes, in all circumstances fix your eyes on Jesus. He knows and loves you.
 

John 17:1-5 After Jesus said this, he looked toward Heaven and prayed: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”
 
IN the Upper Room, our Lord has challenged his closest disciples to fully know who he is, so they would believe in his deity. The King of Kings has shown them how to be a servant leader. Jesus prophesied betrayal and denial would come from his inner circle. He promised Heaven’s home for all believers because he is the Way. The Son of God has also assured his chosen of the Father’s presence with himself. Lovingly, the Son has promised the Holy Spirit will come to help them do God’s work on earth.
   Now, before he goes to the cross,  Jesus will converse with the Father. John 17 is called “Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer” because he prayed as the Father’s appointed High Priest to intercede for all who are his own throughout history.
   To begin, Jesus restated the purpose of his work. “Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” Think of God’s love here. Jesus sees the cross and his resurrection as a means to glorify himself, so the Father will be glorified. To glorify is to praise, worship and exalt.
   This is what happened. Because of the cross and the empty tomb, the name of Jesus is worshiped in his true church today. We exalt the name of Jesus above all names as we confess he is Savior, Priest and King. We can know and confess this because the Son completed his redemptive work the Father gave him to do on earth. For Jesus’ church to be his church, we must know he is the one we glorify as we minister the gospel. This is why Peter could preach in Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
   In Jesus’ glory is also the Father’s exaltation. As the Son is praised, the Father is praised. Because of Jesus’ saving work, the Holy Spirit has anointed all the church to know God so loved the world, he saved multitudes of lost souls by grace through faith. The faithful church glorifies the Triune God.   
   Jesus prayed, too, is eager to leave earth’s limitations to again be with the Father. In Heaven, Jesus will return to live in his eternal glorified form as risen Lord and Savior. The work is done. It is time to go home to reign at the Father’s right hand.
          What great comfort this is for us. The Son of God fully knows Heaven’s glory. He will no longer need to confront unbelieving religious rules, cautious disciples and the world groaning in its sins. He has come to redeem the world. It’s time for God’s Kingdom plan to move forward.     

John 16:29-33 Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively. 30 Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? 32 But the time is coming – indeed it’s here now – when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

THE disciples have confessed, “We believe.” But Jesus challenges them. He knows the next thing they will do is flee from Jesus’ arrest, the trial and the cross. They will not believe the news, “He is risen!” To indicate they faithfully believed Jesus, they would need to remain steadfast to support him through the grave and prepare to welcome his resurrection. Their words did not agree with actions.
   Here’s a response to this passage from Dr. R.C. Sproul:
 
Jesus’ response to the disciples’ confession was one of righteous indignation. When Jesus answered them, “Do you really believe?” it’s almost as if He were saying: “Oh, now you believe? Where have you been for the past three years? Where were you when I told you that the Son of Man had to go forth to die?” Then he said again to affirm what would happen: “But the time is coming – indeed it’s here now – when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone..”  
 
Jesus said in essence, “You may be full of belief and trust now, but it isn’t going to last. When you see the swords of the Roman soldiers being brandished in the moonlight, you’re going to run for your lives, and you’re going to leave Me alone.”
 
Yes, we are prone to confess Christ when life is calm. But when the storms swirl, our confession can quickly blow away. Still, Jesus gave hope to the disciples and to us: “But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” The Lord assured the disciples that ultimate victory over each faith challenge is in him. This requires unshakeable faith, “Sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1)
   Living faith gives us eyes to see life beyond the challenges and into the Triune God, who so graciously bestowed life upon you. Pray your confession is true. Pray you believe and are steadfast in Jesus.