Reading for March 20th

 JESUS' GREAT DECLARATORY PRAYER

In  17.1-26: This passage sums up his teaching. It elaborates aspects of the prayer Jesus taught his disciples (Mt 6.9-13; Lk 11.2-4). The prayer for the mission focuses first on Jesus, then the disciple, and finally on those who believe through the word of the disciples. Each depends on the one before it: Jesus is the foundation. 

Read John 17.1-19. In verses 1-5: Jesus' mission. This begins and concludes with petitions to God as Father. Jesus glorified (revealed) the Father by doing his will. Now everything depends on God's revealing himself in and through Jesus' death (12.23; 13.31-32). Authority (see 3.35; 5.20) is expressed in giving eternal life (see 6.37-39; 10.29). Knowing like believing, is the way to eternal life (compare 17.8 and 25; see 3.16; 5.24; 20.31). Jesus had finished the work (see 4.34; 5.36) and now asked to return to his former glory. In verses 6-19: The disciples' mission. In verses 6-11: The opening declares what Jesus revealed to his disciples, establishes their belonging to both Jesus and the Father, affirms that they have kept your word, and recognizes that Jesus' departure leaves the disciples in the world. In verse 11b: Jesus prays not for the world (17.9) but for the integrity of the disciples in the world. Holy Father (compare Righteous Father in 17.25) expresses concern that the disciples be kept from corruption ( see 17.17). Jesus' sanctification is the basis of the disciples' sanctification (17.19). In verses 12-13: Joy, in the context of tribulation in the world, is the objective (see 15.11). In verses 14-17: The word in the world provokes hatred, whether toward Jesus or the disciples (see 8.23, 39-59; 9.22, 34; 15.18-16.4a). Protect  them from the evil one and sanctify them recalls the Lord's prayer (Mt 6.9-13). In verses 18-19: The disciples' mission is enabled by Jesus' sanctifying word and work. Comments or Questions..