Greetings, brothers and sisters, and welcome back to "A Word from the Vine." I'm Pastor Loren Christensen of Danish Countryside Chapel. In this and the next seven episodes, let us delve into the heart of Christ through His prayer in John 17, a passage that we should reflect upon with deep reverence. I've titled this sermons, "Eternal Intercession - The Unity, Sanctification, and Love of Christ's Prayer." This prayer, uttered in the solitude of Gethsemane and recorded for us, is not merely a historical account; it is the living Word of God, speaking to us across the ages.
In the quiet moments before His betrayal, amidst the olive trees of Gethsemane, Jesus of Nazareth, the one called Christ, lifted His eyes heavenward and prayed. This prayer, recorded in the seventeenth chapter of the Gospel according to John, is a sacred window into the heart of the Son of God. As He stood on the precipice of His passion, Jesus did not pray for deliverance from the cross that awaited Him, but rather for the glorification of His Father through the completion of His earthly mission. This prayer, profound in its depth and breadth, reveals the deepest desires of Jesus for His disciples and for all who would come to believe in Him through their message.
In this serene yet somber setting, Jesus’ prayer unfolds as a tapestry of concern, love, and hope for His followers. The Bible captures his words, which resonate with the weight of impending sacrifice and the light of eternal purpose. As we explore this prayer, let us approach it with the same solemnity and expectancy as if we were there, under the ancient olive trees, listening to the voice of our Savior.
In the opening verses of John 17 which we will dive into next time, we are invited into the intimacy of Jesus’ communion with the Father. The setting is deeply personal and charged with the gravity of the moment. Jesus, fully aware of the impending crucifixion, begins His prayer not with a plea for rescue or reprieve, but with a request for glorification—a glorification that is reciprocal, where the Son glorifies the Father and the Father glorifies the Son.
Thanks for tuning in today.
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