Episode 10: John 17: 1-26: Glorious Unity

27 Mar

Jesus turns from speaking to his disciples, to speaking to his Father in heaven. What an incredible privilege we're given to be able to listen to his prayer.

1. What strikes you about Jesus' priorities for his disciples and for us?
2. How does this challenge our view of unity, and its purpose?
3. How are you encouraged by this prayer?
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The following is an uncorrected transcript generated by a transcription service. Before quoting in print, please check the corresponding audio for accuracy.
Felicity: You're listening to the Two Sisters and a Cup of Tea podcast, the Bible study podcast for everyday life. We're here for a 20 minute burst of Bible chat over a cup of tea and an English style biscuit as we make our way through a Bible book over the course of the season and drive it to our hearts. And this season we're revisiting John's gospel as we get stuck into chapters 12 through 17 together. Whether you've been listening for a while or have just found us, we're so pleased you're here.
Sarah: We continue to be grateful for our partnership with 10ofthose.com and as we encourage you to read books for different seasons of life, there's one season that we're all familiar with, the season of waiting. Whilst it's something we're all too familiar with, sometimes we're just not so great at knowing what to do with it, particularly when the season feels long, hard and confusing too. Seasons of Waiting by Betsy Child Howard, Waiting Isn't a Waste by Mark Vroegop and To a Different Drum by Pauline Hamilton are all excellent books that walk us through what it looks like to wait well and to lean on the character of God for what he's able to do in us in the midst of seasons of waiting. Perhaps you need to read one of these now or perhaps you need a copy on your bookshelf for your future self. Head to tenofthose.com for more information.
Felicity: Welcome to Two Sisters in a Cup of Tea. My name is Felicity, I'm in the States. I'm with my sister Sarah, she's in the UK, and we are excited to be jumping into John chapter 17 as we get into Jesus praying. But first of all, Sarah, let me tell you, I'm on a tea resolution. I mean, yeah. Now, I was recently in Sarah's house, and Sarah has quite organised cupboards. In fact, you have labelled tins in your cupboard and I just need you to know that that is not my cupboard. And it's definitely not my tea cupboard. And before doing this podcast, to be honest, I'm not really sure I had a tea cupboard. I definitely didn't have a tea podcast, but I I didn't have a tea cupboard. But I do have a tea cupboard now that is quite full of a range of different teas. Many thanks to all the listeners who are sending in teas. Very, very grateful. And I actually am on a resolution to try all the different teas in my cupboard.
Sarah: Amazing. How's it going? How many have you got through so far?
Felicity: I say it's a resolution, I mean I've tried like two, I've tried two new ones in the last two weeks. So I feel, know, yeah.
Sarah: I see it's in theory right now. Well done, I'm proud of you. Maybe if you take one a week then by, you know, May-June time you may be halfway through the cupboard. But quite exciting, the fact that it's not organised you never know what you're going to pick out, you know, next.
Felicity: Yeah, halfway through exactly. I'm aware that. It's true, it's true. I have stuffed all what I perceive to be the similar sort of teas all into the same box, but I don't know what that category is. I could never explain to anyone. know, people come round and they don't want the Yorkshire tea or the Earl Grey, whatever, so I just present them with this box and say, well, there may be something. The mixed bag, yeah, yeah, the random items kind of tea. So I'm aware that I can't just try them once, though. In order to work out whether you like something, you kind of need more. So, you know, I feel like it's an undertaking really. So I'll keep you all posted.
Sarah: Mmm please do, please do. good stuff. Felicity we're heading into just the most beautiful part of scripture right now aren't we? I think I've just been, as we've been walking through John's Gospel, we come to this point where we actually get to hear Jesus pray. I mean it's staggering that these words are recorded isn't it?
Felicity: I know, what a privilege to be invited in through this account from John, this moment where Jesus prays. Even just the simplicity, in 17 verse one we hear, after Jesus said this, he looks towards heaven and prayed. All in one sentence, that's just naturally what he does. The relational aspect of that is just so profound.
Sarah: Yeah. I feel like it's the same level of hushed tones that would be going on with the washing of the feet. You know when the kind of disciple's thinking, what's going on here? Why are you washing my feet? Here it's like a wow. Or maybe it's like, we've heard him pray loads before and so this is just normal part of what's going on. I don't know, but just, it's a privilege for us to be able to hear this prayer, isn't it?
Felicity: Yeah, I'm excited. Sarah, why don't you read it for us?
Sarah: I’d love to. John chapter 17, let's go.
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. 6 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. 13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. 20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
Felicity: Thank you Sarah. I'm just struck even just again hearing it again how much what he's been talking about in the previous chapters is here in the prayer. There's such a consistency there. I mean it does make sense obviously that what he is concerned for he's been speaking with the disciples about and now he prays to God about the same things which that makes sense but I don't know I love that consistency just that we can be absolutely sure as to what Christ's heart is. And even just kicking off there in verses one through five, just a whole lot of glory.
Sarah: There's a whole lot of glory again, isn't there? Like, I love this! But as you say, that is, yeah, his heart that he's just been sharing with his disciples, of course it's then reflected in prayer. Of course, that's what then he's gonna kind of cry out to his father for. And the natural overflow of that is, glorify your name, glorify the son because of all that he is and just what we see about Jesus that he's been given authority over all people that he gives eternal life and just the, it really struck me verse five, now Father glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began as just a kind of reminder to anyone eavesdropping this is how big a deal Jesus is and this is why he deserves all the glory and yet his heart in the middle of those verses from one to five is that people would know God. That's the heart of eternal life isn't it, that they know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you've sent. And I love that, that his glory is not a self-serving glory, his glory is wholly bound up with wanting people to come to know God for themselves.
Felicity: Hmm, yeah, absolutely. And makes sense then, verse six, as we move into what he's actually praying for the disciples, and this being particularly for the people in that room, I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. And that is a theme all the way through John's Gospel, isn't it? The revelation of Jesus as the Son of God. And we've been hearing it in these chapters, I am of the Father, what the Father has said I am saying, the authority of that. And so that is all wrapped up in what he is doing as he seeks to bring about the glory of God. A whole part of that is that he would reveal himself to these who God has given him out of the world in order that these words would be the means by which that revelation is given, kind of passed on, isn't it?
Sarah: Yeah, and I love the repetition here in these verses. So we're particularly looking at verses 6 to 19, aren't we? This is the kind of specific prayer for the apostles, for those with him in this moment. And just the repetition of the gift that they are, that they've been given by the Father to Jesus, that everything that he has with them is a gift. And then in verse 8, ‘for I gave them the words that you gave me’ it's all an overflow, isn't it, of his abundance, generosity, of his gift, of his gift-giving and I just love that because again it just reflects the heart of God doesn't it that we've been seeing all the way through this tenderness this compassion this generosity and now we're seeing that in the way that he prays and he prays for protection for them doesn't he he knows he's going but until this point he's protected them but actually he's now going and he knows they need protection from the evil one.
Felicity: Yeah, absolutely. And in that, then, in verse 14, I've given them your word and the world has hated them for they are not of the world anymore. There's a set apartness that comes through receiving this word. If you go back to verse 10, you hear, all I have is yours, all you have is mine, and the glory has come to me through them. And even at this stage, I mean, this is just a faint glimmer of the glory that God is gonna get as that same word is proclaimed through these disciples. And I love, as you say, that it's all wrapped up in the same thing, this glory of God that is being achieved through the work of Christ. And the work of Christ includes giving the word to these guys who go on to give it to, well, the world in that. And we hear that sanctify them by the truth, your word is truth. The idea that this word in itself sets them apart, sanctifying being another word for holy but also being set apart. And so as you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world, for them I sanctify myself. That meaning, I think, I have set myself apart in order to do what is necessary, i.e. go to the cross that they too may be truly sanctified, that they too may be those who are set apart for the glory of God really, as they hold out the word to others.
Sarah: Yeah, I think that's really helpful that phrase set apart isn't it because I was getting quite confused with the sanctifying going on here at the end of this section but I think it also just reminds us of the enormity of the task before the apostles and that they have been set apart specifically for what's coming next in terms of the next kind of epoch of salvation history isn't it? After Jesus' death and resurrection they have a significant and foundational role in Christ being glorified through proclamation of the gospel going forward, founded and based and wholly kind of rooted in the word that they are given. And I think that's really really crucial isn't it to be reminded again of the apostolic word because when we could then come on to this next session where Jesus prays not only for them but for anyone who's going to believe through their message, through their message is key isn't it?
Felicity: Yeah, yeah. I love even, I pray also for those who will believe, this is gonna happen. That as these apostles proclaim this word, people like us will believe. And so as you say, the next epoch of salvation is in motion. Even as we speak, isn't that so profound? Like what's going on now? As we talk about this word, so we are in it. We're in what is being described.
Sarah: Yeah. So cool, so cool. Yeah, his prayer has been answered and it's ongoingly being answered as those believe through the message. And it's really interesting, isn't it, that we then get this kind of repetition of one, oneness, unity that comes as a result of their message and I think that's been really striking for me to see the priority that Jesus places on believers having unity but that the foundation of their unity is through the Word, is based on the Word and on the message that they are proclaiming.
Felicity: Yeah, and that is really, that's really fundamental to what he's explaining here, isn't it, what he's describing. And I think that is counter maybe to how we in our world think about unity. And so there's a bit of a re, kind of recalibration in some ways of what that means. That you can be united with people through this word. It doesn't necessarily mean that you have all the same preferences, that you have all the same kind of even choices of people that you like to hang out with all of those kind of things, but actually that it's it's the foundational words this apostolic word the gospel really that is the unifying factor
Sarah: Yeah. Yeah, it's not unity at all cost, is it? It's unity rooted, anchored in this word. So that in verse 23, they may be brought, oh no, hang on. So that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and I've loved them even as you love me. So actually the purpose of this unity, the purpose of this unity grounded in the word is wholly evangelistic, isn't it? It's wholly kind of so that others will come to see the glories of trusting in Jesus and what it is to know God and I just love that the kind of the ripple effect that kind of flows out of all of this.
Felicity: And we've seen all the way through and we've heard it in this prayer as well. They have obeyed your word and they love. We know that obedience to the word is proclaiming the word, but it's also love, isn't it? That's been the repeated command through and through. So as we love, as those who have this word, because we're of this word, we will be those who are seeking to love, that in itself is a witness to the world. And isn't that just such a, I love that, that really warms my heart that just simply by loving as a result of being in this word, cleansed by the word, essentially in the blood of Jesus, so then the world will in some way see who it is that we're following. They will see this Jesus who has revealed himself to these apostles who has revealed himself through this word to us. And there's such a simplicity in that but a profundity in it which I think, well it's encouraging isn't it that God is working through that for these purposes.
Sarah: Yeah, I think it's encouraging. I think it is also a right challenge in our day and age where individualism is the kind of top thing, isn't it? And actually here we see, no, nature, the corporate nature of gathering, the corporate nature of being together under the word. That is a really powerful evangelistic tool, Jesus says here. And actually just think about our gatherings on a Sunday and think about what we're doing. Actually, as unbelievers encounter that as they walk through the doors, that is the most powerful evangelistic kind of thing they're gonna witness as Christians gather as they love one another as they sit under this word as they're united from all ages, stages, backgrounds, race, colour like just just how good that is how how good the invention of church is basically like well done Jesus you've done it yes so so good. But then verse 24, Father I want those you have given me to be with me where I am to see my glory. Just that Jesus' desire there, his desire is that he wants everyone who trusts in Jesus to be with him, to see the glory that is deserved to him and just that, isn't that just stunning? That, that, I just can't get over that phrase.
Felicity: So yeah, absolutely, that that is the desire. That that is the desire and that he's asking God the Father. Like the intimacy of this and that that desire enters into this intimacy and just yeah, it's huge, isn't it? It's really challenged me. I mean, it's massively encouraging and it is just awe inspiring that we hear Jesus pray. And it has also challenged me as to what I desire and is my heart in line with that of Jesus and as I have that desire, or as I grow in that desire, as I pray into that desire, am I really dependent upon the Word? Am I stewarding that Word? Am I coming to the Word? Am I praying that the Lord would shape me and steep me in this word for these purposes. Like, rather than, sometimes that can get a bit abstract, like, I already know I need to love the Bible, therefore I'm to love the Bible, but actually be in the word for these reasons, for these purposes that Jesus has been outlining.
Sarah: Yeah, yeah, I think all of it, yeah. I'm sorry, I of feel lost for words here. It's just, it ends on such a moment, doesn't it? And I think it feels particularly profound because the very next breath, which we’re not getting onto this season but like trailer like what's gonna happen next like this this feels like a such a moment doesn't it it's such a holy tender moment seeing the heart of Christ hearing him pray like this and just being able to stop and just bask in that and yeah it's just so important sometimes isn't it to to not chat away actually I think our chat's gone here.
Felicity: Yeah, let us, let us stop. Why don't you pray for us, Sarah? I know, I praying! It's okay, you can do it.
Sarah: Heavenly Father, we pray you for this prayer here written down for us so that we can see more of Christ's heart, more of his desire, more of what it is to be united to him and to united to one another. Lord, there's so much in here, but we just praise you so much that again, you've given us your word to equip us, to nourish us. It's for our good. And so we pray, Lord, please, as we go away from here, would this not be snatched away? Lord, we really pray, would you help us to just take more time dwell on what is here Lord and particularly would you help us to just have joy in all that is revealed to us here and that we would really truly keep enjoying Jesus and enjoying the privilege it is to know you for that is what eternal life is to know you as the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you've sent our Lord we we sit here humbled and in awe of you and we thank you. Amen.
Felicity: Amen. Thank Sarah. Wow. We really hope that the word that we're in is taking root in you and one of the best ways of doing that we find as we talk with one another and we pray that would be the case for you that you have people that you're grabbing for a chat for you're discussing what you're reading and in our show notes and also on the website we have discussion questions to help with those conversations. So do have a look, do grab a friend, have a chat about this, have a pray together about it. It's just, yeah, all those things help to anchor it. But we will be back for the final episode next Friday. And we'll look forward to seeing you there. Bye bye.
Sarah: We'll see you then, bye bye! This episode has been sponsored by tenofthose.com
Listener testimonial: I'm back living in Nottingham. I tend to listen to Two Sisters and a Cup of Tea, either while running in the kitchen or occasionally actually sitting down with a notebook, sometimes even with a cup of tea in hand. It sounds basic, but one of the things that I really like about the podcast is that it includes the Bible reading. It does make it like a more viable option for listening to whilst on the go. The length of it means that it's possible for me to actually fit it into my week. But what I really like about it is how the format models what it can look like to have a conversation about a Bible passage. Because even with good Christian friends, it can be surprisingly difficult to have a meaningful conversation about God. The fact that Felicity and Sarah have done some of the background work already, means that when I come to chat about it with a friend, we can then hit the ground running.