How can we outline this prayer?

 

Suggestion 1

Sequential Outline for John 17
Reference	Topic	Request
John 17:1-5	Jesus’ prayer for himself	Glorify me
John 17:6-19	Jesus’ prayer for his disciples	Protect them Sanctify them
John 17:20-23	Jesus’ prayer for his disciples in future years	May they be one
John 17:24-26	Jesus’ final petition for all his disciples	I want them with me where I am

 

Suggestion 2

Topical Outline for John 17
5 Pleadings	4 Reminders	5 requests
The occasion- the hour has come.	These are yours – you gave them to me	Glorify me
His relationship – Father	They have responded positively to your word	Protect them
His assignment  from the Father – granted authority, work to do	Glory has come to me through them	Sanctify them
His consecrated life – I have glorified you	They are still in the world and need protection since I will not be physically present any longer	May they be one
His finished work – I have completed the assigned task		I want them with me where I am

 

In Greek, there is important repetition of words between verse six and verses 11, 12 and 15.    If you have an ESV, K JV, NASB, or RSV you can compare these verses and discover the word that is repeated.   What might be added by discovering this intentional play on words?

 

The key word in English is “keep.”   Our NIV and many other translations translate the occurrences differently in verse six and in verses 11 through 15.   The Greek word is “teereoo, teeroo;”   and it means “to attend to carefully, take care of; a.      properly, to guard:  a prisoner, Mt 27:36,54  b.               metaphorically, to keep:   one in that state in which he is, 1 Co 7:37  c.        to observe: namely,   Rv 3:3 d.              to reserve: to undergo something, 2 Pe 2:4”    (from Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)    Obviously in the first occurrence in verse six, the meeting has to do with observing the words of Jesus in the sense of obeying his commands.  In the  occurrences in verses 11, 12, and 15 the meaning has more to do with watching over and protecting as one would watch over someone who is in their charge.    But it should not be lost upon us, but Jesus is praying that God would keep those who keep his words. 

There are many other significant passages where the same Greek word is used.  Look up the following and explain what it adds to our understanding of Jesus prayer; 

Matthew 28:20

The word which the NIV translates “teaching them to obey” is this word for keep or observe.   It is apparently a usual idiom for keeping the commands. This word underlies the idea that they are not just to be casually obeyed or routinely obeyed, but rather to be carefully and diligently studied, meditated upon, and put into practice. This is the practice of a disciple.

John 14:15, 16, 21, 23 

This passage adds the essential connection between our love for Jesus and are keeping of his commands. The Bible is very clear that obedience stems from love. Jesus also point out that the results of this relationship of love and obedience is that he will pour out his Spirit upon us, and he and the father will respond in more love to us.   Our expression of love through obedience results in mutual exchange of love.  The Father responds to our love by making his abode with us.

1 Thess. 5:23, 24

This passage emphasizes the keeping power of God.  One of Jesus requests in the prayer is for our sanctification.   Paul uses the word keep to speak of God’s power to keep us blameless before God until the coming of Jesus.   This is not automatic, but refers to his power to help us overcome temptation, his power to cleanse us, and his power to forgive our sins.

Jude 21

In Jude 21 Jude encourages disciples to keep ourselves in God’s love; that is to be diligent in keeping our own souls, to be diligent in our own discipleship.  In the verse before, he says, “Build yourself up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.”   We are reminded of the concept from John 15 were Jesus taught us to abide in Him and let his words abide in us.    Jude invites us to do that and then uses a Greek synonym in verse 24 that speaks of our God who is able to keep (guard) us from falling and present us before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.    It is interesting to note that this synonym is the same word that Jesus used in John 17 when he spoke of the kind of keeping that he had done for the disciples while he was on earth (v. 12 second occurrence).

In first Peter 1.5, the apostle talks about are being kept by God. A third Greek word for keep is used here. It has the connotation of being guarded by a garrison, safely enclosed, and hemmed in by a protecting force. We can feel safe and protected like Elijah did when he discovered that he was surrounded by the mighty army of God. That is what it means to be kept by God.

Luke 11:27, 28

Jesus pronounced a blessing upon those who keep his words.  Our happiness depends upon our ability to meditate upon, absorb, accept and put into practice the words of our Lord and Savior.   Carefully thinking about and practicing what he taught opens the way for God’s blessings on our lives.   This is why Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock (Matthew 7:24 NIV).

 

Why does Jesus remind his Father in verse 11 that the disciples were still in the world?

There are several reasons for this phrase. First, it reveals the compassion of Jesus. Jesus is returning to his Father – to the safety and grandeur and holiness of the Father’s presence.  They are not coming with him and his heart goes out to them.   Second, by contrast, the disciples will remain here on earth, in the domain of their spiritual enemy, in the midst of great hardship, and vulnerable to temptation and trials.   Jesus’ requests in this prayer for protection and sanctification grow out of his knowledge of his disciples’ vulnerability in this world.   Two other concepts noted by Rainsford as reasons for Jesus mentioning our current place are that we are here to accomplish his mission and we are here to grow spiritually amid trials and testing. 

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