This Lesson is part of John’s Gospel Easy Notes Series.
John 17
Isn’t it amazing that the Son of God prayed while on earth?
He lived without sin.
But he did not live without prayer.
Hope that gives you an idea of how much we should lean on God in prayer!
Here, like the high priest praying before offering sacrifice, Jesus is praying before he offers himself as the once for all sacrifice (Hebrews 9:26). Now he knows that his mission is finished, he wants to go home (v. 6—8). His last prayer on the cross, recorded in other gospels is a prayer that every Jewish mother taught her child to pray before going to bed at night (Psalm 31:5a, Luke 23:46). What a lovely way to go to sleep and go on from this earth to the home of heaven!
Jesus dedicated himself or sanctified himself to go to the cross. He also prayed that his disciples or his people will be equally dedicated to their role in making known his redemptive work—the finished work on the cross (John 19:30).
His prayer in Aramaic would begin, Abba (John 17:1. Compare Mark 14:36). (Abba is a term of great intimacy and affection used to address a father in the Palestinian homes of those times.)
For more about the what prayer meant to Jesus, read this fascinating article on Lovesark: The Prayer Life of Jesus Christ
Read more posts on prayer:
The Secret of Prayer Posts Lists
Pathways of Prayer