Christ's Prayer: Assurance of Eternal Communion and Glory

 

Summary

In the sacred moment of prayer, Jesus Christ, our High Priest, enters the most holy place, not with incense but with His own blood, offering a prayer of profound significance. This prayer, found in John 17, is a testament to His love and commitment to those given to Him by the Father. It is a prayer that transcends time, echoing the eternal bond between Christ and His people. Jesus prays not only for His glorification but also for the sanctification and unity of His followers, expressing a deep desire for them to be with Him and behold His glory.

The style of this prayer is unique, marked by the authoritative "I will," signifying not just a request but a declaration of divine will. This is not a prayer of mere wishful thinking but a powerful assertion of what is to come, a promise of fulfillment. It is a prayer that assures us of our place with Christ, a prayer that is as certain as any command from the Almighty.

The prayer is not universal but specific to those whom the Father has given to Christ. These are the elect, chosen before the foundation of the world, beloved by God, and destined for eternal glory. This doctrine of election, though challenging to some, is a source of comfort and assurance to those who believe. It is a reminder that our salvation is not of our own doing but a gift of grace, a divine plan that cannot be thwarted.

Christ's petitions in this prayer reveal the essence of heaven: to be with Him, to behold His glory, and to be like Him. Heaven is not merely a place but a state of being in perfect communion with Christ. It is the fulfillment of our deepest longings, the ultimate joy and privilege of the redeemed. In heaven, there will be no interruptions, no distractions, only the eternal delight of being in the presence of our Savior.

As we reflect on this prayer, we are reminded of the hope that sustains us through life's trials. It is a hope that purifies, a hope that draws us closer to Christ, and a hope that assures us of our eternal destiny. Let us hold fast to this hope, living in the light of His love, and looking forward to the day when we shall see Him face to face.

Key Takeaways:

- The Authority of Christ's Prayer: Jesus' use of "I will" in His prayer signifies a powerful declaration of divine will, not just a request. This authoritative prayer assures us of its fulfillment, as it is backed by the certainty of God's promises. [03:47]

- The Doctrine of Election: The prayer is specific to those given to Christ by the Father, highlighting the doctrine of election. This doctrine, though challenging, is a source of comfort, reminding us that our salvation is a divine gift, not based on our merit. [08:11]

- Heaven's Greatest Joy: Christ's prayer reveals that the essence of heaven is to be with Him. This companionship with Christ is the ultimate joy, transforming heaven from a mere place to a state of perfect communion with our Savior. [13:17]

- The Glory of Christ: In heaven, we will behold the glory of Christ, a sight that will captivate and transform us. This glory encompasses His divine nature and His enthronement, offering us a glimpse of the majesty and splendor of our Lord. [28:31]

- The Hope of Eternal Communion: The prayer assures us of our eternal destiny with Christ, a hope that purifies and sustains us through life's trials. This hope is not just for the future but a present reality that draws us closer to Christ. [41:20]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - The Redeemer's Prayer
- [00:30] - The High Priest's Incense
- [01:16] - Christ's Priestly Intercession
- [02:06] - The Lord's Special Prayer
- [03:12] - The Style of the Prayer
- [04:03] - The Authority of "I Will"
- [05:29] - Our Will vs. Christ's Will
- [06:35] - The Elect in Christ's Prayer
- [08:11] - Understanding Election
- [12:48] - Heaven's Greatest Joy
- [13:54] - Companionship with Christ
- [18:56] - Face to Face with Christ
- [28:31] - Beholding Christ's Glory
- [39:19] - Glorified with Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 17:24

Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of Jesus using the phrase "I will" in His prayer, and how does it differ from His usual way of praying? [03:31]
2. Who are the specific people Jesus prays for in John 17, and how are they described in the sermon? [06:52]
3. According to the sermon, what are the three main petitions Jesus makes in His prayer? [12:48]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the authoritative nature of Jesus' prayer in John 17 provide assurance to believers about the fulfillment of His requests? [06:19]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the doctrine of election, and how might this be a source of comfort for believers? [08:11]
3. In what ways does the sermon describe heaven as more than just a place, but a state of being with Christ? [13:54]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the authoritative "I will" in Jesus' prayer. How can this understanding of His authority impact your confidence in prayer? [03:31]
2. The sermon discusses the doctrine of election as a source of comfort. How does this doctrine affect your view of salvation and grace? [08:11]
3. Consider the description of heaven as being in perfect communion with Christ. How can this perspective influence your daily walk with Him? [13:54]
4. The sermon emphasizes the hope of eternal communion with Christ. How can this hope sustain you through current trials or challenges? [41:20]
5. Jesus prays for the unity and sanctification of His followers. What steps can you take to promote unity within your own community or church? [02:41]
6. Reflect on the idea of beholding Christ's glory. How can you cultivate a deeper appreciation for His glory in your life today? [28:31]
7. The sermon mentions the joy of being with Christ in heaven. How can you experience a foretaste of this joy in your current spiritual practices? [13:17]

Devotional

Day 1: The Divine Will in Christ's Prayer
In John 17, Jesus' prayer is marked by the authoritative "I will," signifying not just a request but a declaration of divine will. This prayer is a powerful assertion of what is to come, a promise of fulfillment backed by the certainty of God's promises. It assures believers of their place with Christ, as certain as any command from the Almighty. This authoritative nature of the prayer highlights the divine will and purpose that underpins the relationship between Christ and His followers. [03:47]

Hebrews 7:25 (ESV): "Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust in the certainty of God's promises today, and how can you actively rest in His divine will?


Day 2: Comfort in the Doctrine of Election
The prayer in John 17 is specific to those given to Christ by the Father, highlighting the doctrine of election. This doctrine, though challenging to some, is a source of comfort and assurance to believers, reminding them that their salvation is a divine gift, not based on their merit. It emphasizes that believers are chosen before the foundation of the world, beloved by God, and destined for eternal glory. This understanding of election provides a profound sense of security and gratitude for the grace that has been bestowed upon them. [08:11]

Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."

Reflection: How does the understanding of being chosen by God before the foundation of the world impact your sense of identity and purpose today?


Day 3: The Joy of Being with Christ in Heaven
Christ's prayer reveals that the essence of heaven is to be with Him, transforming heaven from a mere place to a state of perfect communion with our Savior. This companionship with Christ is the ultimate joy and privilege of the redeemed, fulfilling their deepest longings. In heaven, there will be no interruptions or distractions, only the eternal delight of being in the presence of the Savior. This understanding of heaven invites believers to long for and anticipate the joy of eternal communion with Christ. [13:17]

Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV): "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'"

Reflection: What does the promise of eternal communion with Christ mean to you personally, and how does it shape your daily life and priorities?


Day 4: Beholding the Glory of Christ
In heaven, believers will behold the glory of Christ, a sight that will captivate and transform them. This glory encompasses His divine nature and His enthronement, offering a glimpse of the majesty and splendor of the Lord. The prayer in John 17 assures believers of this future reality, inviting them to live in anticipation of the day when they will see Christ face to face and be transformed by His glory. This vision of Christ's glory provides hope and motivation for believers to persevere through life's challenges. [28:31]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper longing to behold the glory of Christ in your daily life, and what practical steps can you take to focus on His majesty?


Day 5: The Hope of Eternal Communion with Christ
The prayer in John 17 assures believers of their eternal destiny with Christ, a hope that purifies and sustains them through life's trials. This hope is not just for the future but a present reality that draws believers closer to Christ. It is a hope that purifies, inviting believers to live in the light of His love and look forward to the day when they shall see Him face to face. This hope provides strength and encouragement to persevere, knowing that their ultimate joy and fulfillment are found in Christ. [41:20]

1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively nurture the hope of eternal communion with Christ in your life today, and how can this hope influence your interactions with others?

Quotes

"Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me for thou lovest me before the foundation of the world John 17 verse 24 the redeemer's prayer a sermon delivered on Lord's Day morning April the 18th 1858 by CH Spurgeon." [00:00:01]

"Even so our Lord Jesus Christ when he would once for all enter within the veil with his own blood to make an atonement for sin did first offer strong crying and prayers in this 17th chapter of John we have as it were the smoking of the savior's Priestly Center he prayed for for the people for whom he was about to die and a he sprinkled them with his blood he did sanctify them with his supplications." [00:01:08]

"Father I will now I cannot but conceive that there is something more in the expression I will than a mere wish it seems to me that when Jesus said I will although perhaps it might not be proper to say that he made a demand yet we may say that he pleaded with authority asking for that which he knew to be his own and uttering an I will as potent as any command that ever sprang from the lips of the almighty." [00:03:28]

"Father I will that they also whom thou has given me be with me where I am this was not an Universal prayer it was a prayer including within it a certain class and portion of mankind who are designated as those whom the father had given him now we are taught to believe that God the Father did from before the foundation of the world give unto his son Jesus Christ a number whom no man can number who were to be the reward of his death the purchase of the travail of his soul who were to be infallibly brought unto Everlasting Glory by the merits of his passion and the power of his resurrection." [00:06:41]

"Christ prayed if I understand his prayer for three things things which constitute Heaven's greatest joy Heaven's sweetest employment and Heaven's highest privilege the first great thing he prayed for is that which is Heaven's greatest joy father I will that they also whom thou Hast given me be with me where I am if you notice every word in the sentence is necessary to its fullness." [00:12:56]

"He does not say I pray that Those whom thou has given me may be where I am but with me where I am and he does not only pray that they might be with him but that they might be with him in the same place where he is and Mark he did not say he wished his people to be in heaven but with him in heaven because that makes heaven heaven it is the very pith and Marrow of Heaven to be with Christ heaven without Christ Christ would be but an empty place it would lose its happiness it would be a harp without strings and where could be the music a sea without water a very pool of Tantalus." [00:13:32]

"Ah brothers and sisters we know a little of what it is to be with Christ there are some happy moments sweet pauses between the din of the continued battles of this wearied life there are some soft times like couches of rest wherein we do Repose there are hours when our Master comes to us and makes us orever we are aware like the Chariots of a minib it is true we have not been caught up to the third heaven like Paul to hear Words which it is unlawful for us to utter but we have sometimes thought that the third Heavens have come down to us." [00:14:57]

"How sweet the prospect of the time when we shall not see him at a distance but face to face there is a sermon in those words face to face and then we shall not see him for a little time but millions of years our wondering eyes shall ow our savior's be's Rove and Myriad ages will adore the wonders of his love oh if it is sweet to see him now and then how sweet to Gaze on that blessed face forever and never have a Cloud Rolling between and never have to turn one's eyes away to look on a world of weariness and woe." [00:19:06]

"Father I will that they whom thou has given me be with me where I am that is Heaven's sweetest joy to be with Christ and now the second prayer is that they may behold my glory which thou Hast given me this is Heaven's sweetest employment I doubt not there are many joys in heaven which will amplify the grand Joy with which we have just started I feel confident that the meeting of departed friends the Society of Apostles prophets priests and martyrs will amplify the joy of the redeemed but still the Sun that will give them the greatest light to their Joy will be the fact that they are with Jesus Christ and behold his face." [00:27:30]

"The moment the soul passes from this body it will Behold The Glory of Christ The Glory of his person will be the first thing that will arrest our attention there will he sit in the midst of the throne and our eyes will first be caught with the glory of his appearance perhaps we shall be struck with astonishment is this the Visage that was more M than that of any man are these the hands that once rude iron tore is that the head that once was crowned with thorns oh how shall our admiration rise and rise and rise to the very high pitch when we shall see him who was the weary man and full of woes The Humble man before his foes now king of kings and Lord of lords." [00:28:50]

"Mark we are not only to be with Christ and to behold his glory but we are to be like Christ and to be glorified with him is he bright so shall you be is he enthroned so shall you be does he wear a crown so shall you is he a priest so shall you be a priest and a king to offer except acceptable sacrifices forever Mark that in all Christ has a Believer has a share this seems to me to be the sum total and the crowning of it all to reign with Christ to ride in his triumphal Chariot and have a portion of his joy to be honored with him to be accepted in him to be glorified with him this is heaven this is heaven indeed." [00:39:37]

"To lose the sight of Christ the company of Christ to lose the beholding of his glories this must be the greatest part of the damnation of the lost oh you that have not this bright hope how is it that you can live you are going through a dark world to a darker eternity I beseech you stop and pause consider for a moment whether it is worthwhile to lose heaven for this poor Earth what poorn Eternal glories for the pitiful Pence of a few moments of the world's enjoyments no stop I beseech you weigh the bargain a you accept it what shall it profit you to gain the whole world and lose your soul and lose such a heaven as this." [00:40:16]

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Transcript
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