THE LORD’S PRAYER (Part 1)

We’re going to do something a little different this week. We are going to focus almost exclusively on the book of John, Chapter 17. We will not read every verse, but we will thoroughly explore the last public prayer of Jesus before he and his disciples went to the garden where Jesus would be arrested and led to his persecution and death on the cross.

Most people believe the Our Father Which Art in Heaven prayer is the Lord’s prayer. The truth is, that prayer was a teaching prayer. Jesus was asked how to pray. He then recited the “Our Father” as an example how to pray. This prayer in John, chapter 17, is what I would truly say is the Lord’s prayer and man, oh man, does it ever effect us.

Welcome everyone to your 24/7, week long, online church service. No one is excluded from this place. Get ready folks, this may be quite a journey. Now listen to me. Believers, nonbelievers and Christian backsliders, this chapter speaks to each of you, so take heed. Jesus, the son of God, is praying for and about us all. John 17:1-2 states:

“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: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.”

Please take in the environment of this moment. Jesus knows the end of his earthly walk is upon him. Yet, what does he do? He prays with his disciples for us. Jesus states clearly here that God gave him power over all flesh, knowing that by his death and resurrection we may be saved. He goes on in verse 3 to explain what life eternal really is. If you get this, you will always be able to share with others the true meaning of eternal life. This is what Jesus states in Verse 3:

“And this is life eternal, that they (you and me) might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.”

The death on that cross and the resurrection of Jesus from the dead has made it possible for us to know God and his son Jesus. I’m not talking here about just knowing ‘about’ God, but really knowing him. Listen to what Jesus said. Life eternal is that we might know God personally. Notice the word ‘might’ in this scripture. Jesus is saying the possibility of knowing God is here, but we must receive Jesus in our hearts. That is the only true way to know Jesus and his heavenly Father. That opportunity is here for us because of Jesus. Let’s go on and read further. John 17:4-5, Jesus praying to his Father in heaven:

“I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”

In effect, Jesus was telling God that he glorified him by carrying out his will for mankind on this earth. Jesus was so committed to his sacrifice for us, his death on the cross and his shedding of blood, which would occur in just a few hours, that he spoke as if it was already done. Now, what Jesus is saying is the stain of man’s sin is gone. Restore me to my former unstained glory that I had in heaven. Do you understand this, church? Jesus in this prayer is laying out for us exactly what the gospel of Jesus Christ is all about.

Imagine this, my friends. Jesus knows the fate awaiting him just a few hours away. But, is his concern for himself? The answer is no. His concern was about us. Now in Verse 8 Jesus begins to talk to God about those who believe on him. He becomes our advocate with the Father. And, guess what? He is still our advocate today. Let’s look at John 17:8-10, Jesus still praying to his Father for us:

“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. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.”

Church, if that doesn’t grab your heart, what can? Jesus over and over and over again, all during his days on the earth, proclaimed that he was led by his Father in heaven. As you read the New Testament, everything Jesus spoke of were the words his Father would have spoken. Listen to me. He is not only talking about those that followed him around, but he is talking about us today. He basically said that they believed he was sent to save them. Well church, who are they? The answer – we are – the believers of today. But, this is also for you, my unbelieving friends, as you choose today to believe Jesus and what he did for you.

Now, notice carefully in Verse 9, Jesus was stating that he is praying for us, the believers. He is not praying for those who chose not to believe in him. Tough love, my friends, but a just love. Jesus says because he we are his, we are of God. And because we are of God, we are of him. In other words, as believers we are one with God and his son Jesus. Nonbelievers and Christian backslider, you are not left out here. Jesus is calling you to him. What is your answer? In verse 10 Jesus said he is glorified in us. In other words, as the title of one of our former messages stated “God loves you the best.” I believe this scripture shows that clearly.

Let me clarify something. God cares for all that are in this world. When he said “I pray not for the world,” he was stating he could not pray to the Father to keep those that did not belong to him. But, he most certainly could and would pray for those who have chosen to believe in him.

I’m going to leave John 17, right here at verse 11. We will pick it up at this same place next week. I hope you are enjoying this two part series on the Lord’s prayer. I just felt it to be so important that you understand how much God loves you. How horrible it must have been for our heavenly Father to see his son spit upon, his back beaten to shreds, a crown of thorns pushed onto his skull, nails pounded through his hands and feet. But, how glorious it must have been when Jesus returned to heaven in all his glory and filled with joy for what had been accomplished. Jesus sprinkled his blood on the mercy seat and all of heaven praised the Lord for the work he had done. That is what Jesus was praying about, my friends. He left glory for a hell on earth so we may have glory in heaven with him. What an awesome God we serve.

God Bless You,
Bro. Bob