Christ’s Prayer

John 17:6-11

6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

Notes

The Lord Jesus prayed to be glorified, which would also glorify the Father. Their shared glory existed before the world began, revealing Jesus’ divine nature and His mission to redeem. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He displayed God’s character—His love, justice, holiness, and grace.

In this prayer, Jesus would then turn His focus to His disciples. The Father gave them to Him out of the world. They received His Word, believed it, and belonged to Him. Jesus prayed for their preservation and unity, entrusting them to the Father’s care.

1. Christ Revealed the Father

   Jesus revealed the Father’s character and redemptive will to His disciples. He manifested the name of the Father. To "manifest" the Father’s name means to make His nature known. The disciples, given to Jesus by the Father, are marked by their obedience to His Word.

   
   6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word (John 17:6).

   Application: As a believer, take comfort in knowing you are part of the people the Father has given to the Son. Let this deepen your gratitude and drive to know God more through His Word. Ask yourself: Is my life marked by a commitment to keeping His Word? Live in obedience, not to earn favor, but as a response to His grace, glorifying Him in your faith and actions.

   
   

2. Secured by the Father through the Word

   The Lord Jesus highlighted the disciples’ recognition of His divine origin. They believed that His teaching and works come from the Father. Though their understanding was incomplete, their faith was genuine, rooted in the words of Christ.

   
   7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me (John 17:7-8).

   Application: Like the disciples, let us trust Christ’s Word and acknowledge the Father’s sovereign will. We should reflect on whether our faith is grounded in Scripture. Furthermore, let us seek to deepen our understanding of His truth. In times of doubt, remember that faith is God’s gift, and growing in His Word strengthens our faith.

3. Prayer for Protection and Unity

   Jesus prayed specifically for His disciples, distinguishing them from the world. He interceded for those the Father had given Him, emphasizing their identity as God’s chosen people and asking for their preservation in a hostile world.

   
   9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one (John 17:9-11).

   Application: Christ was glorified through His first disciples. He continues to be glorified in genuine believers today. Let us glorify Him by fostering unity rooted in His name and His word. Moreover, let us remain in His word and boldly proclaim it for His glory.

Reflection & Discussion

1. How does Jesus describe those the Father gave Him?

2. What does Jesus pray for His disciples? Why did He not pray for the world?

3. How does Jesus’ prayer reflect the unity of the Father and Son?