Jesus prays that what He accomplishes will bear fruit through His followers. Through them He will make the Father’s love and power known to the world. He concludes with a personal request: that His disciples be with Him forever (17:24a). He honors what the Father has given Him. That He is returning to the Father and they are remaining in the world to serve Him does not mean the request cannot be answered, for the Holy Spirit assures His presence. The thrust of the request, though, applies to eternity at the consummation of the age (Matthew 28:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:17). This request will produce a marvelous result: the glory Jesus received from the Father in eternity will continue forever (17:24b).
Such glory arises from the mutual love between the Father and Jesus (17:24c). “World” here refers to creation rather than to humankind in opposition to God, though humankind would be included. The preexistence of Jesus is assumed to be a fact, as clearly established in John 1:1 and 1:14. The Bible affirms in images of Word, Wisdom, and Creator that He is eternal. Jesus was, is, and always will be, fully God.
Jesus made the Father recognizable for all to see and comprehend (17:25a). As “righteous Father,” He is the embodiment in Person and conduct of all that ever could be good. In His righteousness He upholds all who trust Him and judges all who reject what is right in Him (Psalm 11:6-7). The world opposed Him and refused to acknowledge that He was the Father whom Jesus revealed, yet Jesus had made that fact constantly known.
The Eleven with Him recognized the revelation of the Father in Jesus. In His words and deeds, yet more importantly in His Person, they believed “in Jesus.” They perceived that the Father truly had sent Jesus with His message and ministry of salvation (17:25b).
They came to know the Father through Jesus’ revelation (17:26a). “Name” refers to the Father: “Who You are and in Your power to accomplish Your will.” Williams translates name, “your very self.” Through the Spirit and the disciples, Jesus’ message and ministry of salvation will continue to be made known - His on the cross and theirs to the world (17:20). Knowledge of the Father shared with the disciples would produce a second result: they would know the Father’s love and Jesus would be in union with them (17:26b).
Dr. David Moore can be contacted at dm5867se@outlook.com
