John 17:1-26
And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. – John 17:3
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John 17 records the prayer of Jesus before His crucifixion, also known as the High Priestly Prayer. The role of the high priest is deeply significant, especially as our entire church has been reading the Book of Leviticus. This book reveals how the Israelites, in their daily lives, constantly faced the pervasive threat of sin. Though they offered sacrifices for atonement, these could not fully eradicate their sins—whether intentional or unintentional—which directly affected their relationship with God.
Out of mercy, the Lord God established the Day of Atonement, allowing the high priest to represent the congregation of Israel and come before Him. That once-a-year Day of Atonement was profoundly precious. The high priest would offer sacrifices, pray, purify himself, and then stand before the Lord to make atonement for the people, restoring the covenant community’s relationship with God and upholding their holy status as a kingdom of priests.
The priests and the priestly system of the Old Testament all point to Jesus Christ, the true High Priest. Through His obedient sacrifice unto death, Jesus accomplished the ultimate purpose of being set apart for God, and He leads all who trust in Him to be truly sanctified and devoted to God.
Now, let’s turn to Jesus’ prayer before His crucifixion. This High Priestly Prayer can be divided into three parts:
1. Jesus prays for Himself (vv. 1–5)
2. Jesus prays for His disciples (vv. 6–19)
3. Jesus prays for the unity of all believers (vv. 20–26)
This is a very rich prayer but today, let’s focus on the third point: the Lord Jesus interceding for all who believe in Him, that they may be united in the Lord. The foundation of this unity is the unity between the Father and the Son. The disciples being “one” not only bears witness to the work of the Son, but also to the love of the Father. For the testimony God desires is not merely that people know He exists, but that the relationship between God and people, and between people themselves, be restored to unity.
The apostle Paul said that the Lord Jesus, with His own life, tore down the wall of hostility between God and man, and between people: “He… put to death their hostility… through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit” – Ephesians 2:14–18 Our High Priest, the Lord Jesus, has already accomplished the work of redemption. Today, in Christ, we no longer need to wait for a specific day to atone for our sins. Instead, we can come before Him at any time with confidence, drawing near to His throne of grace to seek His forgiveness.
Unity testifies to God’s work; unity allows Christ to reign in our lives; unity is also an opportunity to bear witness to the world. So, is our church—are we ourselves—united with God and with one another?
Reflection:
Let us examine our relationships with God and with others. Is there a testimony of unity? Am I obedient? In my heart, is Christ magnified while my own life diminishes? In my words and actions, do I consistently demonstrate Christ’s love, living in peace with others and responding to Jesus’ prayer:
I in them and You in Me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them even as You loved Me – John 17:23
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for loving and teaching us with Your life. You have restored our identity as Your children, and You call us to live a life of unity so that the world may know You through us. Help us, wherever we are, to submit to Your will and to magnify You in our lives, so that others may see You in us and us in You. May our lives bear beautiful witness for You. We pray in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
Click to read
John 17 records the prayer of Jesus before His crucifixion, also known as the High Priestly Prayer. The role of the high priest is deeply significant, especially as our entire church has been reading the Book of Leviticus. This book reveals how the Israelites, in their daily lives, constantly faced the pervasive threat of sin. Though they offered sacrifices for atonement, these could not fully eradicate their sins—whether intentional or unintentional—which directly affected their relationship with God.
Out of mercy, the Lord God established the Day of Atonement, allowing the high priest to represent the congregation of Israel and come before Him. That once-a-year Day of Atonement was profoundly precious. The high priest would offer sacrifices, pray, purify himself, and then stand before the Lord to make atonement for the people, restoring the covenant community’s relationship with God and upholding their holy status as a kingdom of priests.
The priests and the priestly system of the Old Testament all point to Jesus Christ, the true High Priest. Through His obedient sacrifice unto death, Jesus accomplished the ultimate purpose of being set apart for God, and He leads all who trust in Him to be truly sanctified and devoted to God.
Now, let’s turn to Jesus’ prayer before His crucifixion. This High Priestly Prayer can be divided into three parts:
1. Jesus prays for Himself (vv. 1–5)
2. Jesus prays for His disciples (vv. 6–19)
3. Jesus prays for the unity of all believers (vv. 20–26)
This is a very rich prayer but today, let’s focus on the third point: the Lord Jesus interceding for all who believe in Him, that they may be united in the Lord. The foundation of this unity is the unity between the Father and the Son. The disciples being “one” not only bears witness to the work of the Son, but also to the love of the Father. For the testimony God desires is not merely that people know He exists, but that the relationship between God and people, and between people themselves, be restored to unity.
The apostle Paul said that the Lord Jesus, with His own life, tore down the wall of hostility between God and man, and between people: “He… put to death their hostility… through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit” – Ephesians 2:14–18 Our High Priest, the Lord Jesus, has already accomplished the work of redemption. Today, in Christ, we no longer need to wait for a specific day to atone for our sins. Instead, we can come before Him at any time with confidence, drawing near to His throne of grace to seek His forgiveness.
Unity testifies to God’s work; unity allows Christ to reign in our lives; unity is also an opportunity to bear witness to the world. So, is our church—are we ourselves—united with God and with one another?
Reflection:
Let us examine our relationships with God and with others. Is there a testimony of unity? Am I obedient? In my heart, is Christ magnified while my own life diminishes? In my words and actions, do I consistently demonstrate Christ’s love, living in peace with others and responding to Jesus’ prayer:
I in them and You in Me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them even as You loved Me – John 17:23
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for loving and teaching us with Your life. You have restored our identity as Your children, and You call us to live a life of unity so that the world may know You through us. Help us, wherever we are, to submit to Your will and to magnify You in our lives, so that others may see You in us and us in You. May our lives bear beautiful witness for You. We pray in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.