Jesus Prays For Future Disciples *J66)

“I pray for those who will believe in me,
Through the message of present disciples,
That all of them may be as one, Father,
Like you are in me, and I am in you.
May they also be in us, that the world
Might believe that it is you who sent me.
I will give them the glory you gave me,
That they may be one, as we are but one.
May they be brought to complete unity,
To let the world know that you have sent me, 10
And will love them, even as you love me.
Father, I want them who you will give me
To be with me wherever I may be,
To see my glory you have given me,
Because you loved me before creation. 15
Righteous Father, the world does not know you;
I know you, and they’ll know you sent me;
My disciples will make you known to them,
In order that your love will be in them—
That I myself will be indwelling them." 20

Commentary on: John 17:20-26 (NIV)
This poem is a paraphrase in blank verse of Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane for believers yet to come. It is of great interest to modern-day Christians, for it contains several key principles that we know apply directly to us, in the words of the Savior. I suggest that you read John 17:20-26 in your Bible, comparing Scripture line-by-line with the 20 lines of the poem.

It is obvious that Jesus’ greatest desire is the unity of all believers (see lines 3,4,9,10 above), for with Christian unity, love and cooperation with each other, non-believers are more likely to be drawn into belief. In fact, the most rapid growth of Christianity occurred in the first three centuries, and the reason is probably the early believers had great love for each other and it showed to the non-believing world. By 325 A.D. the entire Roman Empire, which constituted the known world, was so filled with Christians, despite the Empire’s horrible persecutions, that Emperor Constantine adopted “The Way” as it was called as the nation’s official religion. However, when we consider the many denominations of Christianity and those which are near to the faith, it is not difficult for the world to see how divided it is. (I am using “world” as it is usually meant in the Bible, which is the enemy of Christianity, the non-believing population.)

Jesus speaks of the inheritance believers will receive (line 7). We are to share in the glory of Christ and be adopted as His brothers and sisters; we are loved by God as Jesus Christ is loved by Him (line 11). The instant we believe we become part of the family of God, even while still living in the flesh. Also, Jesus wants us to be with Him forever (line 13(. When the believer dies, his soul goes immediately to Christ; his body returns to dust. But when Jesus returns to earth, the bodies are resurrected and rejoined to the soul, to live with Christ forever.

In line 20, we see that Christ, as the Holy Spirit, indwells the believer the remainder of his life on earth. Jesus was anxious that all believers should see His glory (line 14), and why not? There is such a staggering contrast between the glory of Christ and the poor, broken, emaciated, tortured body that spilled His blood on the cross of Golgotha, why not have believers marvel at His heavenly glory? And in line 17, Jesus gives the essential requirement for salvation when He says that future believers will know that His Father sent Him, meaning they will believe He is the Messiah! You can’t get a better guarantee of what is required for you to be saved than that!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not die, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)