John 17 is the last chapter of a unique portion of scripture in John’s Gospel. It’s a three-chapter conversation followed by a one-chapter prayer. Honestly, I think it is one of the most important sections of scripture in the Bible. Some Bible scholars call these four chapters Jesus farewell discourse. But you know that I don’t think these are farewell words. Jesus knows that these aren’t his last words and he's setting the stage for the biggest moment of his life.
So for last time, take a moment and imagine that you are there, walking with this close-knit community of Jesus-apprentices through a vineyard in the evening before Jesus goes to the cross. Coach Jesus has been given the pre-game speech of his life. Whether you know it or not, you are nearing the end of the evening. John 17 is the prayer of Jesus that closes his time with his friends and initiates his final steps to the cross. In John 17, Jesus prays for himself. Then he prays for his current disciples. Then he prays for us. Did you realize that? Not only did Jesus go to the cross for us. Before he went to the cross for us…he looked down through the generations and prayed for us. He prayed for all those who would believe in him. And as we listen to him pray for us, we are hearing his dream for us.
