Click here for Ascension Day Scripture Commentary

John 17:20 - 26

 

CONTEXT-Jesus’ hour, the time of his death, resurrection, and ascension, has arrived. This pericope (13:1-17:26) narrates the foot washing, Jesus’ farewell discourse, and prayer, but also provides the theological framework for interpreting the remainder of the Gospel.

FARE YE WELL - this forms what we might call "a farewell genre." Another example of such a literary form includes Moses’ farewell speech in Deuteronomy (31:30-32:47). There Moses concludes with a hymn of praise to God and a general blessing upon the Israelites. In John 17, we have an excerpt from an intercessory prayer offered by Jesus as he approaches his hour to be "glorified." This prayer falls within the final part of the larger pericope of the farewell meal and final words of Jesus (13:1-17:26).

A PRIESTLY PRAYER - Many see in John 17, the high priestly intercessions of Jesus. Such has been the basic interpretation since the 16th century: Jesus our great high priest offers intercession on behalf of the apostles and by extension, the Church which will come into existence through their testimony. Such an emphasis, however, causes a disconnect between the prayer and the preceding material, i.e. the farewell meal and discourse. Jesus also in this prayer, looks proleptically to everything that his final hour embodies, his death, resurrection, and ascension. In fact, the prayer embodies the totality of his previous three and a half years of ministry.

 

Unity may be heard for us to achieve, but the glory of God is visible when we live in unity. When we do, the death-defying life of God is expressed. In what ways might you be experiencing disunity? Ask God to show you what actions you will need to take. Carry within your mind a picture of Jesus praying for unity. [1]

 

What kind of prayer would you pray if you knew your end were near? You might begin by recalling some of the famous deathbed prayers-humorous, deeply reflective, or inspiring. I recall D.L. Moody’s final death scene, John Wesley’s final letter that he concludes just hours before his death, John Brown’s final prayer, Stephen’s prayer, etc.

Commentators will point out two notable distinctions in the prayer. 1) the prayer contains in thumbnail summary, much of what Jesus has taught all the way through his journey in John’s gospel-even the prologue is reflected in the prayer. 2) Jesus’ prayer is sandwiched between the farewell discourse words and the passion story. The prayer is pivotal-the lull between the calm and the storm. The shifting temporal perspective of the prayer, which brings past, present, and future together into one narrative moment, shows that conventional understandings of time are redefined by this "hour." [2]

What does this prayer mean to us? At the very least, we overhear Jesus’ deep and intimate relationship with the Father. The language, while formalized is permeated with intimacy, not built around the I/He/She, but around the I/you relational language. Jesus is close enough to God that he can lay his petitions and intercessions before the Father in the confidence that he will be heard. At Jesus’ hour, he turns to the One who sent him and loves him. Jesus and the Father have been in this ongoing conversation all the way through the Gospel of John, but here we are privy to how close these two really are! [3]

_______________________________________________________
[1] Spiritual Formation Bible (Zondervan, 1999), page 1425.
[2] New Interpreter’s Bible, IX ( Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1995), page 788.
[3] Ibid, page 794.