The Upper Room Discourse - Jesus Prays for Me

John 17:20-26

“The Lutheran theologian David Chytraeus (1530-1600) seems to have been the first writer to describe this chapter as Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer,” notes Sinclair Ferguson. David Chytraeus was one of Luther’s early disciples and a colleague of Philip Melanchthon.

Whether or not John thought of this chapter as a High Priestly Prayer, we have learned that its shape reflects three stages in the ministry of the Jewish high priest as he prepared for the sacrifices to be made on the Day of Atonement. He interceded for himself, then for his colleagues in the priestly family, and then finally for all Israel.

In the same way, Jesus prays for Himself – “the road ahead is a Via Dolorosa to Gethsemane and Calvary and the Garden Tomb. But beyond that is glory,” writes Ferguson.

Jesus then prays for his disciples – the now eleven Apostles who have been with Him “from the beginning” (John 15:27). They are being sent out into the world with His Word; they need His Father’s protection. Jesus is praying that they will be sanctified through the Word the Father gave Him, which He in turn has given to them.

But as we come to the closing verses of chapter 17, we are greeted by the unexpected, noted Ferguson. “Jesus’ prayer extends far beyond the horizon of His own lifetime.” He now prays “for those who will believe in me through their [the Apostles’] word” (17:20).

This prayer was answered in the events recorded in the Acts of the Apostles and the New Testament Letters. “But its focus is more expansive than that,” highlights Ferguson. In these words, Jesus was also praying for me and you, if we are believers. For we, too, are among those who have come to believe in Christ through the Word of the Apostles (v. 20).

Then, in breathtaking prose, Sinclair Ferguson states:

“In addition, since this prayer is a transcript of the heart of Christ on the evening of His passion, it is also an indication of His will for us after His resurrection and ascension. Since He prayed in this way for us then, we also discover here what He desires for us now. In a sense, therefore, His intercession not only encourages and secures us; it teaches us how to live in conformity with our Savior’s will.”

Here, then, are words to turn to frequently to remind us of what Christ most wants.

I hope you can join us this Palm Sunday as we learn what Christ most wants and what that means for us.

For His Glory,

Pastor Wayne