What is Jesus’ meaning in the statement, “I am coming to you now?”  

For many years when I read this verse and the parallel expression in verse 11, I thought only of the way that I use this expression in prayer.  I thought of Jesus simply meaning that he was approaching the throne of grace with his petition for his disciples.  But as I read from Marcus Rainsford’s commentary, checked with contemporary writer Leon Morris in the New International Commentary on the New Testament, and looked at the text again; it became obvious to me that there was a much better way to interpret these words.

Rainsford suggests, and I wholeheartedly accept his insight, that Jesus is speaking of his soon-to-be reunion with his Father in heaven (pp. 228,229). He is speaking about his exaltation to glory that is to happen after his death is accomplished.  He, in his post-resurrection body will be ascending to heaven to be with his Father. This is the most natural interpretation of the words once you think about it. 

What clinches the interpretation is to notice the immediate contextual contrast of locations that is consistent in both verse 11 and verse 13.   Verse 11 begins with the statement, “I will remain in the world no longer.”   This is followed by the contrasting statement regarding the status of the disciples, “But they are still in the world.”  This is in turn followed by the repeat of the contrast, “and I am coming to you.”  Leon Morris instructs us that the connective usually translated “and” just before Jesus last phrase, could also be translated as “but I am coming to you,”  which makes the contrast clearer.  The same contrast of location is in verse 13.   Jesus speaks about where he is going contrasted with where he is now as he prays.   

According to verse 13, what is one key purpose of Jesus prayer for his disciples?     How is this a comfort to the listening disciples and how will it come true?

Jesus key purpose in praying for his disciples is that they might have joy.   This is especially a comfort to his disciples because he has spoken to them about leaving them, which would be an occasion for grief rather than joy if it were not for the repeated assurances of Jesus that his overall purpose is to bring them joy both when he is there and when he leaves.   Consider the following:  John 15:9, 11; Neh. 8:10; 1 Peter 1:8; 1 John 1:4.   The means by which this new joy would come had just been explained. They were threefold. One source would be the resurrection itself (John 16:22).  Another would be the coming of the Counselor, the Holy Spirit (John 16:12-15). The third source would be answers to prayer (John 16:24).

What does Jesus mean by “my joy?”

Marcus Rainsford has an inspiring answer to this question.  Rainsford observes that this kind of expression does not stand alone in Jesus’ sayings. He also spoke of “my peace” (John 14:27).  To Saint Paul, the Holy Spirit speaking for Jesus spoke of “my strength” and “my grace” (2 Cor. 12:9).   Rainsford suggests that there are three ways to understand the expression “my joy.”  

• §  First Rainsford says “my joy” may refer to the joy which is Christ’s to bestow; joy of which he is the author and giver. The Bible teaches us that one of the purposes of Jesus’ incarnation was to bring us joy. Check out Isaiah 61:3 and Luke 2:11.   “My joy” then becomes the joy that results from our grasping the salvation that we have received in Christ, from resting in it and celebrating the joyous gifts that come to us because of Jesus.

§  Second, he suggests that “my joy” may refer to joy of which Jesus is the object or the subject.

In this sense Rainsford suggests that too often we look for the source of our joy in ourselves, our attainments, our experiences, even in our religious experiences and accomplishments.  In contrast to this, the expression “my joy” may be to remind us that real soul-satisfying joy comes from the knowledge of Jesus himself. When we focus on Him we find our joy.

§  Third, he offers that “my joy” could refer to Jesus’ own personal joy.

Rainsford suggests (p. 243) that Jesus shares with his church the joy of the bridegroom rejoicing over the bride (Isa 62:5).  He also shares with his church the joy of the harvest (Isa 9:3).  Finally, the Bible talks about sharing the results of Jesus conquest of the world the joys as of those who divide the spoils (Isa. 9:3).  He has joy in his relationship to his Father in the Trinity.   Hebrews (12:2) speaks of the joy set before Him.   Jesus’ own joy is contagious.

Investigate the role that Jesus gives in his prayer to the Father’s Words.

Study of Jesus’ references to the Father’s Words in John 17
verse	What is said	Consequence	Interpretations
6	The disciples have obeyed your word	They know that what you have given me comes from you	When we accept and obey the Father’s word, it opens our spiritual understanding.
8	I gave them the words you gave me	They accepted them	God’s Word is a gift to us from God. It is our opportunity to accept and profit from this great gift.
14	I have given them your word	It is a reason for the world to hate them	Following God’s path will make us different and the world will not always like the difference.
17	Your word is truth	It is the means of his followers’ sanctification	Hearing and following God’s Word purifies our motives and our actions, and we grow in godliness.