John 17:1-11

Read the passage: The Message   or   The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

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Chapter 17 concludes the long, final speach of Jesus to his followers that began way back in Chapter 13.

Verses 1-8 constitute the beginning of a prayer in which Jesus reiterates his relationship with; authority from; and activities for God.

Verses 9-19 are prayers on behalf of Jesus' followers.

Verses 20-26 are prayers on behalf of those who will become followers.

As always with John, we must allow the circling repetition and non-sequiturs to be like the swirling eddies of a whirl pool. We don't try to follow them. We relax in them; let them swirl around us; we soak in them; we let them become an environment in which we experience the true life that comes from Jesus.

John wants us the SEE Jesus, and to see Jesus is to see the one who sent him; is to see the glory of the one who sent him; is to see the honour / majesty / purpose / worth of the one who sent him; and not just sent him; but who is IN him. This is eternal life. To see in Jesus the source of true life; the only true God. This revelation of glory, of the presence of God, is the work of Jesus.

Verse 6. Notice that those who belong to Jesus were NOT "converted" by him. There already belonged to God and God gave them to him. The relationship is NOT created. The relationship may be realized; may be enhanced; may grow; but it is not created - it is a given.

This is good news. It is the news that our relationship with God is given by God as the starting point, not an end point.

It is also hard news, because it means that WE do not get to choose who God is in relationship with; and that means that if we want to be in relationship with God, we must also be in relationship with those whom God has already chosen to be in relationship with - whether we like them or not; whether we agree with God's choices or not. How can we love these persons whom God has chosen who may be our enemies and possibly also our neighbours as Jesus loves me. Ouch.

Verses 7 & 8. Notice again that Jesus gives what he has received from God, and that his followers receive what Jesus has given them. They "know in truth" because God's word - which they have received from Jesus - IS true.

Verses 9 to 11. "No longer in the world" cannot be understood one-dimensionally. The disciples are now "in" Jesus. They are bonded with him; they abide in him. They are "in" the world, but in addition, they are now also embedded in the reality of Jesus. That they also are in the world is the reason for their needing protection.

And notice that - as with other blessings - there is a larger purpose for being protected. We are protected so that we may be one as Jesus and God are one. And notice too, the grace is "that we may be one as Jesus and God are one." That is, the quality of companionship between Jesus and God is the measure of our companionship. Shortening the quotation to "that all may be one," misquotes the verse as it omits the defining quality of the oneness to which we are called.