What Jesus Wants (John 17:3-26)

"And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. “My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.” (John 17:3, 9, 17-19, 21, 23, 26 NLT)

In one of the last recorded prayers of Jesus, before He went to the cross, Jesus went to the Father on behalf of all believers to ask for one huge favor.

What could it be?

World evangelism?
Great speaking abilities?
A heart for the lost?
Unlimited resources?
Anointed worship leaders?
Miraculous spiritual gifts?

Surprisingly enough, Jesus asked for none of these. In fact, He didn't even bother to pray for unsaved people at all (vs. 9). Although Jesus Himself came to "seek and save the lost" (Luke 19:10), the thing that was most central to His mission, the thing for which He prayed and desired above all others was for those who follow Him to truly know Him and share in His holiness (vs 3).

Of the few specific requests Jesus actually asked for, His desire was for the truth of His words to make His people holy (vs 17). In fact, Jesus said that the very reason He was about to sacrifice His life was for that very purpose (vs 19).

But why go through all that trouble just make us holy? Maybe Jesus knew something that we didn't. Perhaps the best way to fulfill His mission was not through polished programs or powerful preaching, but through purified people who truly know and display the love of God.

Maybe Jesus knew that if His disciples ever totally set themselves apart to God and for God's glory, the result would revolutionize the world. If those who follow Jesus ever fully surrendered themselves to obeying Him, together they would be an unstoppable force (vs. 21).

So what does Jesus ask for? Exactly what He wanted above everything else- for a united, holy army of people, fully invested in knowing Him and making His love known (vs 23).

God was and still is in the business of revealing Jesus to those who are surrendered to His holy purposes (vs 26). The Scripture says it is they who will know Christ and experience the love of God that will cause the world to see and believe in Him.

The question is, "Do we still want most what Jesus wants most for us?"

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