Loving God, you remind us today that your Son, Jesus, prayed for us and for all who would come to believe in him. Make his prayer our prayer and continue to teach us to pray; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

There are times when I can tell that other people have been praying for me. This is especially true at those times when I have been dead tired and yet needed to do something that is difficult and taxing. It is at those times that I can feel the strength that is not my own, and I know that others have been holding me up in prayer.

As a pastor, it means a lot when people tell me that they have been praying for me. I know that there are many of you who regularly keep me in your prayers, and for that I am truly thankful. Ministry simply cannot happen without a lot of prayer. At the same time, I know that many of you pray for one another, and I also pray for you. Anybody who seeks to live as a follower of Jesus Christ needs the strength and support that comes from the prayers of others. In fact, today we are reminded that Jesus himself prays for us.

Because of the way that the gospel of John is written, it is difficult to follow the prayer of Jesus that is found in today’s gospel (Jn. 17:6-19). However, when we look at it carefully, we discover that there are four things that Jesus asks for his disciples, for us, and for all who will believe in him. Jesus prays for unity, for joy, for protection from the evil one, and for all that we will need to fulfill God’s mission in the world. Jesus asks these things because he knows that soon he will no longer physically be with the disciples. He knows that he will be leaving this world and that all those who believe in him are going to need these things.

So... Jesus has been praying for you. Do you want the same things that he wants for you? Let’s think about what Jesus prays for us. The first thing that was on Jesus’ mind as he prayed for his followers is unity. Jesus prayed that we would be one, just as he and the Father are one (Jn. 17:11). In other words, Jesus prayed that we would have unity of heart and mind. We would ultimately want the same things, being able to pray together, “your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

As we think about this, it doesn’t take much to see why Jesus would be concerned about unity of heart and mind among his followers. Christians fighting among themselves offer a very poor witness to those who do not believe in Jesus. At the same time, human beings seem to have the unique ability to take faith in Jesus Christ and adjust it until it suits their own will rather than God’s will. It is a constant challenge in the church to pray together, to study together and to listen together for the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Yet, at the same time, this is why we need one another. It is easy for us as individuals to become totally off base in what we think God’s will is for us. However, when we pray and talk and study and listen together, we challenge one another in our understanding as we strive to discern God’s leading together. Jesus’ prayer is not only for us as individuals, but for us as a Christian community. And ultimately, they’ll know we are Christians by our love!

Jesus’ second concern as he prays for his disciples and for us is joy. He wants his joy to be “made complete” in us (Jn. 17:13)! I have to wonder how many people picture Jesus as being joyful. However, if we take the Scriptures seriously, Jesus both has joy and rejoices (e.g. Lk. 10:21; Jn. 15:11). In spite of people misunderstanding him and rejecting him and betraying him and ultimately torturing and killing him, Jesus experiences joy. And Jesus’ prayer for us is that we would have the same joy.

Ultimately, joy is a gift of the Holy Spirit. However, a number of things are connected with joy for us in the gospel of John (Jn. 15:7-11; 16:24). Being rooted and grounded in Jesus and in love are important. Keeping Jesus’ commands is important. Asking and receiving in the name of Jesus is important, which happens as we live in union with Jesus and in love for God and for others. Each of these things are mentioned in connection with Jesus’ joy being in us and our joy becoming complete.

Now, just in case you were wondering, this does not mean that Christians will be joyful all the time. Grief and sorrow are also part of life. However, if we truly believe in Jesus Christ and have never experienced joy, something isn’t right. Joy is not dependant on our circumstances, but comes from the Holy Spirit as we grow in our relationship with God. And Jesus prays for this joy for us.

The third thing that is on Jesus’ mind as he prays for us is protection from the evil one. It is the same concern that is found in the Lord’s Prayer as we pray, “deliver us from evil.” In the gospel of John, the evil one is often described as the ruler of this world (Jn. 14:30; 16:11; 1 Jn. 5:19). However, at the same time it is made clear that he has no power over Jesus. Jesus lays down his life of his own accord and not because the devil is in control.

As long as we live in this world, we will be confronted with evil. However, as is evident all through the New Testament, the name of Jesus uttered in faith is far more powerful than any evil. The key, though, is faith and trust in Jesus (cf. Acts 19:11-17). The evil one delights in finding ways to take away people’s faith.

Those who believe in Jesus make this world a better place and allow people to see glimpses of heaven on earth. Those who continue to follow their own path do nothing to show people God’s kingdom. Jesus knew that people would continue to see evidence of evil in this world. He prayed for protection from the evil one so that people might also see evidence of God at work – perhaps even through us!

The fourth and final thing that Jesus prays for us is perhaps the most difficult to understand. The words used in the gospel are “Sanctify them in the truth” (Jn. 17:17). We are to be consecrated – hallowed – made holy – dedicated and equipped for service. We are to be made fit for service through Jesus’ sacrificial offering of himself. We are to be separated from sinfulness and filled with the Spirit of Jesus, ready to fulfill our mission of representing Christ to the world.

Jesus prays that we would have unity of heart and mind. Jesus prays that we would have his joy. Jesus prays that we would be protected from the evil one. Jesus prays that we would be made ready for service – set apart in order to help fulfill God’s mission in the world. Do you want the same things that Jesus wants for you?

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:13).

Amen.

Easter 7(B)      John 17:6-19
May 24, 2009
St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church
Pastor Lynne Hutchison

© 2009 Lynne Hutchison  All Rights Reserved