Jesus Prayed for Us

“Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa, will speak tonight at Calvary Memorial Church in Racine. Come tonight and hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa.”

“The sermon topic for tonight is ‘What is Hell?’ Come early and listen to the choir warm up.”

“Weight Watchers will meet at 7:00 P.M. at First Presbyterian Church. Please use the large double doors at the side entrance.”

“Ladies’ Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at ten. All ladies are invited to lunch in Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.”

“Low Self-esteem Support Group to meet Thursday at 7:00 P.M. Please use the back door.

Here’s a question for you to think about before we start our study tonight:

If Jesus was here right now, called you out of the group to come up for prayer, what would He pray over you?

What would He ask His father in heaven to do for you?

Would he ask for help paying your mortgage? Pray that you get a better job? Maybe pray that you’d find healing in your relationships? Or that you’d find peace?

We think of all sorts of things we are currently dealing with in our lives, but I was just wondering what Jesus might think if the most important issue we face that He’d spend time praying to the father for our sake.

There’s a few verses in the book of John that I think might help us answer these questions. The answer could be just what we need to put the issues we are facing into the correct perspective.

To me, the prayers of Jesus are important. They not only teach us how to pray, but they teach us what we should pray.

The night before the Lord Jesus was to be crucified was a night filled with much activity. He spent the evening with His disciples in the upper room, observing the Passover, teaching them about the Holy Spirit, and generally encouraging them to carry on His work in the world.

After they had finished their meal, Jesus led them outside the city to a garden called Gethsemane.

Gethsemane

In this garden, He took time to pray.

Here’s how Luke records this time of prayer:

Luke 22:41–44 NLT

41 He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. 44 He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.

Luke tells us that He prayed with such intensity that He sweat became like great drops of blood. You see, in that garden, Jesus was under attack. Jesus was battling evil on a grand scale for you and me as He prayed that night.

John gives us a little insight into this prayer which Jesus prayed. He allows us to listen in on Jesus as He calls on the Father for us. I am sure that we do not have a record of all of our Lord’s prayers that evening, but the portion we have in John 17, lets us know where His mind was that night.

He knew that the Cross of Calvary was a coming. He understood that Israel would once and for all reject Him as their Messiah. He knew that even His Own disciples would forsake Him.

What did He do in those quiet moments? He prayed. He prayed for the 11 men who were in the garden with Him that evening, but He didn’t just pray for them. He prayed for every one who would ever believe on Him as well.

In fact, if you are saved, Jesus prayed for you!

In John 17 we can read part of this prayer. If you’re wondering what Jesus would pray for you - you don’t have to wonder. It’s recorded. It’s been available for us to read for thousands of years.

In vs. 1-5 He starts the prayer by praying for Himself. He is anticipating a rejoining with His father in Heaven.

In vs. 6-26 He is praying for His followers.

If you look at verse 20 you’ll find something great. Or at least I think it’s great. Jesus says that He is not only praying for those who were with Him at that moment, but He is praying for everyone else who will place their faith in Him.

I want to focus on this part of His prayer. I think it will encourage you.

Let’s listen in as Jesus prays and here what He had to say to the Father about His people.

John 17:11–26 CEV

11 Holy Father, I am no longer in the world. I am coming to you, but my followers are still in the world. So keep them safe by the power of the name that you have given me. Then they will be one with each other, just as you and I are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them safe by the power you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost, except the one who had to be lost. This happened so that what the Scriptures say would come true. 13 I am on my way to you. But I say these things while I am still in the world, so that my followers will have the same complete joy that I do. 14 I have told them your message. But the people of this world hate them, because they don’t belong to this world, just as I don’t. 15 Father, I don’t ask you to take my followers out of the world, but keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They don’t belong to this world, and neither do I. 17 Your word is the truth. So let this truth make them completely yours. 18 I am sending them into the world, just as you sent me. 19 I have given myself completely for their sake, so that they may belong completely to the truth. 20 I am not praying just for these followers. I am also praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me. 21 I want all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. I also want them to be one with us. Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me. 22 I have honored my followers in the same way that you honored me, in order that they may be one with each other, just as we are one. 23 I am one with them, and you are one with me, so that they may become completely one. Then this world’s people will know that you sent me. They will know that you love my followers as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want everyone you have given me to be with me, wherever I am. Then they will see the glory that you have given me, because you loved me before the world was created. 25 Good Father, the people of this world don’t know you. But I know you, and my followers know that you sent me. 26 I told them what you are like, and I will tell them even more. Then the love that you have for me will become part of them, and I will be one with them.

This is the prayer of Jesus. Our Savior was headed to the cross to die a cruel death that He did not deserve. 3 days later, He will rise from the dead and then 40 days after that, He will ascend to Heaven. He is leaving His disciples in the world to carry on His work.

These are important verses because they teach us what He wants us to be doing until He returns. This prayer reveals our purpose.

So, let’s break it down and make it applicable.

John 17:11–12 CEV

Jesus prayed for our Safety

These verses tell us that we have enemies. If we are following Christ we should expect danger.

I think about Pam Smith who is 9,000 miles away over in Kenya. Is she safe? Well, I’d say, no. She’s not safe compared to our safety here in the US. There she is a foreigner. She stands out and people are looking for ways to take advantage of her.

Jesus understood that the Gospel is going to take us to places where in the natural we might not be safe. We need to power of God to keep us safe.

1 Peter 1:5 CEV

5 You have faith in God, whose power will protect you until the last day. Then he will save you, just as he has always planned to do.

We trust in God for protection. Now, in this life, we know that the enemy will attack. We’ve read stories and we see new reports where Christians are hurt because of their faith. Just because the enemy can hurt the body does not mean that God’s power is weak.

John 10:28 CEV

28 and I give them eternal life, so that they will never be lost. No one can snatch them out of my hand.

Through Christ we have eternal life! Jesus was praying that prayer of protection knowing that the work He was about to do on the Cross would forever keep us safe!

Jesus prayed for our Joy

John 17:13 CEV

13 I am on my way to you. But I say these things while I am still in the world, so that my followers will have the same complete joy that I do.

He asked that we would be able to have the same COMPLETE Joy that He had. Not just happiness which is dependent on circumstances, but joy that is rooted in the Lord and in the work of the Spirit of God in our hearts.

Galatians 5:22 CEV

22 God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful,

The world is looking for joy, but they are confusing it for happiness. If you watch TV you’ll be told that you’ll be happy if you own a Lexus, or if you buy a certain product. You’ll be happy if you could get that facelift or tummy tuck. These things won’t bring you joy or happiness.

Jesus is asking for true joy. Why? Because joy lets you be content when you have cancer. Joy lets you praise Him for the passing of a loved one because you know they are with Him. Joy lets you stare adversity in the face with peace that passes all understanding.

Joy has NOTHING to do with happiness, but it has EVERYTHING to do with contentment.

1 Timothy 6:6 CEV

6 And religion does make your life rich, by making you content with what you have.

A relationship with Christ brings contentment. When you are content then you find Joy.

Jesus prayed for our Separation

John 17:14–16 CEV

14 I have told them your message. But the people of this world hate them, because they don’t belong to this world, just as I don’t. 15 Father, I don’t ask you to take my followers out of the world, but keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They don’t belong to this world, and neither do I.

He wants us to stay away from the influences in the world and of the devil. He wants His people to walk differently from the world around them.

2 Corinthians 6:17 NLT

17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.

We need to separate our way of living from the way unbelievers live. Our lives should be different. We have a purpose rooted in God’s grace.

Thankfully, the Lord has provided tool in our fight to separate from the world. We aren’t empty handed in the fight. He promises us that we have the ability to win in our fight against the temptations of the world.

1 Corinthians 10:13 CEV

13 You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations.

No one can say they are tempted beyond what they can withstand. We are called to be separate, but being separate is going to take EFFORT.

Remember, we have the upper hand if we are willing to withstand and put the devil in his place…behind us.

James 4:7 CEV

7 Surrender to God! Resist the devil, and he will run from you.

Jesus prayed for our Sanctification

John 17:17–19 (NLT)

17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.

19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.

Being sanctified mean we are made holy and set apart for the Glory of God. Jesus wants His people to be purified and used for His purposes.

How can we possibly be sanctified? Well, Jesus provided for this work when HE lived a perfect and holy life. Remember our lives have been exchanged for His when we surrender to Him.

Colossians 3:1 CEV

1 You have been raised to life with Christ. Now set your heart on what is in heaven, where Christ rules at God’s right side.

Our part in sanctification is trusting this is true and living our new life by setting our hearts on things that matter for eternity.

One of the best ways to get our hearts set on what matters most is by knowing and spending time in the Word. Why? It exposes areas in our lives that need attention.

It’s impossible to read or hear the Word of God with an open heart and not be moved to change. It’s like a cleansing fire. It consumes us and refines us.

Jesus prayed for our Unity

John 17:21 CEV

21 I want all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. I also want them to be one with us. Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me.

Jesus desired for the followers to walk in unity. Everything we do needs to bring us together, not apart. Ask the question before you act or say something to another believer: Does this bring us more together or will this push us apart?

Too many times we do things in the name of “love” but really we are acting in deception. For instance: I NEED to reprimand this person for doing this or that because it’s my job to keep them in line. Well, too often keeping people in line is the fastest way to kick them out!

Why is unity in the church so important? Because we are advertising Jesus! Look what He said, “Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me”. We are walking billboards for Jesus.

When the world sees the people of God, they either see the presence of the Lord of the presence of strife. And where there is strife, there is confusion. God is NOT the author of confusion. He wants no part in division.

Jesus prayed about our Destination

John 17:24 CEV

24 Father, I want everyone you have given me to be with me, wherever I am. Then they will see the glory that you have given me, because you loved me before the world was created.

I like this verse because it’s a verse of hope. It’s a verse that reminds us that this earth is not our final destination. He’s going to take us home.

Before cell phones we just had to trust a person was going to show up at the time they said they were coming. We had no way of knowing if they forgot or how many minutes they were away from us. I can remember knowing my Grandma was coming to take us for a movie. I didn’t know when, we couldn’t call her, but I knew she was coming. I would just sit on the front porch and wait until I saw her car coming down the road. Sure enough, she came, and we went together.

The same is true with Christ. We don’t know when or how, but we can trust that He is coming again. We will be united with the Lord someday. You can count on it!

The real question is WHO is going to be with Him?

In the New Testament there are 2 greek words that are translated “to will”.

1) Thelo - which means to purpose. It’s used for the will of God with is unchanging. It’s fixed and set in stone. It’s is the will of God and will 100% come to pass with time.

The second word for “to will” is

2) Boulomai - which means to have a wish or desire about something. This word is used when it talks about God’s desires that may not come to pass depending on the actions of others.

Let’s look at

2 Peter 3:9 CEV

9 The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.

This is an example of His will that is dependent on others. His will is that everyone would turn from Sin, trust in Christ and be saved, but He will not command it to be. It’s our choice to trust in Jesus.

In John 17:24 we see the first word for God’s will. The kind that is absolute and unchangeable.

John 17:24 NLT

24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

Jesus is saying, “I am declaring that it is my purpose that every one who receives Me will be with Me in Heaven and will behold My glory!”

In other words, if you are a follower of Christ then you will see Jesus in His glory. You are going Home to a place called heaven. It’s a fact. It’s unchangeable.

Now, here’s a reminder. Heaven is ONLY a place prepared for a prepared people. Look earlier in John’s gospel and hear the truth:

John 14:1–6 CEV

1 Jesus said to his disciples, “Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I wouldn’t tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. 3 After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together. 4 You know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t even know where you are going! How can we know the way?” 6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life!” Jesus answered. “Without me, no one can go to the Father.

Heaven is a real place. But not everyone will live there. It’s specifically for those who have placed their faith in Christ.

Jesus is the light of Heaven. I can’t wait to see what that looks like. It’s going to be beyond words. It’ll be greater than we could ever hope to describe, but it’s only for the redeemed.

Jesus prayed for our Motivation

John 17:25–26 CEV

25 Good Father, the people of this world don’t know you. But I know you, and my followers know that you sent me. 26 I told them what you are like, and I will tell them even more. Then the love that you have for me will become part of them, and I will be one with them.

We have had the opportunity to know Christ. We can’t take it for granted. It must motivate us to share the truth we’ve found.

In our small group on Thursday's, we’ve been talking about how the Bible teaches that the church should be counter culture. We aren’t supposed to be like the world. We should be the light to the world.

It’s a very challenging study because it’s so much easier to live a quiet Christian life. But Christ isn’t calling us to live quietly. He is calling us to let a world who doesn’t know God to get to know Him through us!

We do that by loving, caring, and sharing our story of God’s redeeming grace.

Aren’t you grateful that Jesus took the time to pray for you? Remember at the beginning of the message I asked you to consider a couple of question.

If Jesus was here right now, called you out of the group to come up for prayer, what would He pray over you?

We don’t have to speculate, He did pray over you. He prayed for your safety, joy, separation, sanctification, unity, destination, and your motivation.

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