“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” John 17:24 (NIV)
John 17 records the prayer of Jesus, immediately before His suffering. This prayer is divided into three parts in your Bible: First, Jesus prays for Himself (17:1-5). Second, Jesus prays for His disciples (17:6-19). Third, Jesus prays for all believers (17:20-26).
John 17:24 is part of our Lord’s prayer for us. Here is something amazing to think about: the Son of God, on His knees, praying for you. Did you know that Jesus prayed for you?
“My prayer is not for them alone [the disciples alone]. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message” (17:20). If you believe the apostolic message, if you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you have trusted your life to Him, this prayer is for you.
Jesus describes believers another way here: “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me” (17:24). Jesus refers to His people as “those the Father has given to me.” “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:37).
Those who come to Christ, those who believe the apostolic message, are the gift of the Father to the Son. And here we have Christ, on His knees praying for us. Now what does Jesus Christ pray for us? He wants us to be with Him, and He wants us to see His glory.
What is your response to Jesus’ prayer here?
