13“But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. 14“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15“I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18“As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19“For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.
20“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
22“The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. 24“Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
25“O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; 26and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
Interesting Words
made full
(πληρόω – Greek) – pléroó ► to fill, to make full, to complete, to fulfill, the idea of filling something to its full capacity or bringing something to completion. (from plērēs, “be full,” plḗthō) – properly, fill to individual capacity, i.e. to the extent it is “meet” (appropriate). Perfect tense shows completed action to culmination in finished, continuing results. – Matt 1:22-23; John 16:24; Rom 8:4;
given
(δίδωμι – Greek) – didómi ► to offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. Again perfect tense shows completed action with continuing results.
hated
(μισέω – Greek) – miseó ► To hate, detest, abhor, love less, esteem less, strong aversion or rejection, often in the context of moral or spiritual opposition. – Matt 24:9-10; Luke 6:22; John 3:20;
sanctify
(ἁγιάζω – Greek) – hagiazó ► to make holy, treat as holy, to consecrate, to set apart as holy for a sacred purpose, hallow, purify, derived from ἅγιος (hagios), meaning “holy” or “sacred.”, through the work of the Holy Spirit, aligning them with God’s will – 1Peter 2:9, 10, 3:15; John 10:36, 37-38;
one
(εἷς – Greek) – heis ► one, primarily used as the numeral “one.” Often used in the Old Testament to denote the number one or unity, as seen in the Shema (Deut 6:4). In Greek, it signifies singularity and unity. Translated “unity” in John 17:23. – Acts 4:32; Rom 12:4-5; Gal 3:28;
Cross References
▪︎ Giving others the word – 1Cor 2:4; Col 1:25; 2Tim 2:2, 4:2;
▪︎ Hated by the world – Matt 5:10; John 16:33; 2Cor 4:9;
▪︎ God wants us to be united – John 10:27-28, 29-30; Phil 2:2;
Discussion Questions
1. What does the study of God’s Word do in our lives? Why is it essential?
▪︎ God’s joy is made full in us, in ourselves.
▪︎ They can live completely in the truth.
▪︎ They are not of the world like Jesus.
▪︎ They have opportunity to me sanctified, made holy.
▪︎ They have protection from the evil one.
▪︎ We have the opportunity to experience what Jesus went through when He was hated by all men for His sake.
▪︎ All of the above are essential to growth in Christ.
2. What are some reasonable explanations for why people hate Christians?
▪︎ We are obedient to God.
▪︎ We have chosen to be on God’s side.
▪︎ We are favored by God.
▪︎ Many have made devastingly bad decisions in their lives (premarital sex, abortions, gender choices, poor choice of friends, etc.)
▪︎ Anger, guilt, disfunction, psychosis.
3. If Jesus sends us into the world as He was sent (John 17:18, 20:21), what are some key ministry elements that are essential?
▪︎ Walk in the truth, and in love.
▪︎ Walk in the light as He is in the light.
▪︎ Follow the Spirit’s lead just like Jesus did. In His power (Zech 4:6)
▪︎ Master the basics (Word, prayer, witnessing, fellowship, abiding in Him, sanctification)
▪︎ Actively respond to every prompting God brings our way.
▪︎ Live in unity with our true brothers in Christ.
4. How can we be successful in this endeavor?
▪︎ Doing all of the above to the best of our ability.
▪︎ Fall in love with God; don’t like your first love escape you (Rev 2:4).
▪︎ Respond correctly to error and false teaching, follow the truth.
▪︎ Walk radar locked on God.
▪︎ Keep your eyes on God and His glory.
▪︎ Continually seek to glorify His Name in every respect.
5. What is Jesus asking of us to be sanctified?
▪︎ Yield our will to Him (Luke 22:42).
▪︎ Walk in obedience to Him.
▪︎ Walk in His name.
▪︎ Follow in His steps;
6. What are the essential elements (key ingredients) in being “one” in the current day? What is the difference between being “one” (John 17:21) and living in “unity” (John 17:23)?
Essentials:
▪︎ Walk in agreement on the essential elements of the Gospel.
▪︎ Spend time with each other studying the Word.
▪︎ Be a functioning part of a local body of believers.
Being One vs. Unity:
▪︎ Difficult to separate them, since they are the same word in the Greek… context is key.
▪︎ Oneness (John 17:21) deals with the reality of our state (both of us) in the same body.
▪︎ Oneness is only available to Christians who are “in Christ”… (John 3:6-7, 8; John 14:16, 17)
▪︎ Oneness is always true no matter what if you are a true Christian.
▪︎ Unity (John 17:23) deals with our actions, which because of sin, may or may not be in agreement with our true state.
▪︎ Both oneness and unity are required for results to be positive… that the world may know that Jesus sent us.
7. How does knowing God effect our efforts for Jesus?
▪︎ We are able to understand how God responds according to His character in a given situation.
▪︎ It also tells us how we should respond to Him
▪︎ It keeps us from falling into error that is obviously in conflict with His nature.
▪︎ Christians are transformed by the Holy Spirit living inside us from the moment of rebirth (John 3:6-7, 8; John 14:16, 17). This close, intimate relationship will instantly communicate to us everything that God wants us to know about our situation. Our job is to keep the communication line open by confessing all sin as soon as we are aware of it. We also need to be completely obedient to what He communicates for us to do. This state will allow us to walk in light of His presence, in His name, and be effective in glorifying God (John 14:12-13).