In this week’s episode, we explore John 17, often called Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer. This prayer marks the culmination of Jesus’ farewell discourse, where He prays for Himself, His disciples, and all future believers. We focus on His desire for unity among His followers, not for unity’s sake, but to show the world God’s love through genuine, God-powered love for one another.

"The birth pangs of the new world have begun in his passion, and those who follow him share them. But the joy of the new creation has also begun in his resurrection, and those who follow the way of the cross also share the joy of the new world. For them, the sufferings of this present age are but “a little while” compared to the glory that is already dawning (Rom. 8:18–39).” — Lesslie Newbigin

Jesus teaches his disciples, amongst other things, that the ministry of the Holy Spirit enables us to not only see the glory, the holiness, the radiance, the majesty of God and affirm it but to magnificently rejoice in it — to find it beautiful. 

Jesus teaches his disciples that a life of abiding in Him will have consequences. A life full of joy and love first and foremost, but also the potential for hatred and persecution from the world. Jesus wants his disciples to be prepared to face such hardships in life so that their faith is strengthened, not weakened. 

God’s gracious and empowering presence with his people is not an invitation to settle down and forget the rest of the world: it is a summons to mission. As the true vine (i.e. the true Israel), Jesus calls us to be the true branches that bear true fruit which is his life being made visible in the midst of the life of the world.

In John 14, Jesus promises his disciples "another advocate." That advocate/helper/counselor is the "Spirit of truth." What the Spirit of God primarily wants to do is tell us, teach us, remind us that we are in Jesus and as such, we are in the Father.

As "the way, the truth, and the life," Jesus serves as the better/truer/eternal prophet, priest, and king. Therefore, his promise of “greater works” means that as prophet, priest, and king, his purposes will be amplified by his multiplying believers and expanding church. 

In John 13, Jesus was flanked at the table (and in his whole life, really) by love and betrayal. As disciples of Jesus’, the more we are with him, become like him, and do what he did, the more that will be true of our life as well.

John 13:1-17 is not just about an honored teacher performing a shameful act to serve His pupils — It tells the story that God Himself, who has authority over all of the cosmos and reality itself — has taken on the role of a servant. Jesus’ people serve people because they are served-people.