John 17:24-26 | "With Me Where I Am"
[John 17] He Said, "Father" • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 30:54
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· 207 viewsSunday, January 16, 2022. John 17:24-26 | "With Me Where I Am" This message completes an expository preaching series through John 17. If this series has helped you grow in your faith or has led you to obey the Lord somehow, I would love to hear from you. You may contact me directly by visiting PastorChristopher.com. In this text, at the conclusion of this prayer, Jesus makes a gracious request related to His presence. While we are familiar with Jesus' promise to be present with us always, here Jesus prays the opposite - not that He be present with us, but rather that we might be present with Him, to see His glory, and know the eternal love of the Father. AT the conclusion of this prayer, Jesus unites His will, His knowledge, and His obedience to His Father. This message preaches from John 17:24-26. It concludes a preaching series through John 17, "He Said, 'Father.'" The title of this sermon: "With Me Where I Am."
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I. The Reading
I. The Reading
A reading from John 17:24-26. This is God’s Word:
Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me.
I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
Say Amen
Say Amen
This is God’s Word. If you receive it as such, would you Say Amen?
Amen.
II. The Exhortation
II. The Exhortation
Having heard the conclusion of Jesus’ prayer, we might think of all the various things Jesus could have prayed, for His disciples, but did not.
[Drawing from what Solomon could have prayed in 2 Chronicles 1:11-12].
Jesus could have prayed for His disciples to have abundant possessions. (Lk 9:3; Mt 19:27)
Jesus could have prayed for His disciples to have abundant possessions. (Lk 9:3; Mt 19:27)
But He did not.
Instead, he told them:
Luke 9:3 (ESV)
3 ...“Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics.
Peter even reminded Jesus:
Matthew 19:27 (ESV)
27 ...“See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?”
Jesus could have prayed for His disciples to have wealth. (Mk 10:23; Acts 3:6)
Jesus could have prayed for His disciples to have wealth. (Mk 10:23; Acts 3:6)
But He did not.
Instead, he taught them:
Mark 10:23 (ESV)
23 ...“How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”
Peter would later say:
Acts 3:6 (ESV)
6 ...“I have no silver and gold...”
Jesus could have prayed for His disciples to have honor. (Jn 15:18-20)
Jesus could have prayed for His disciples to have honor. (Jn 15:18-20)
But He did not.
Instead, he taught them:
18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
John 15:20 (ESV)
20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you...
Jesus could have prayed to end the lives of all who hate His disciples. (Mt 5:39-41, 44)
Jesus could have prayed to end the lives of all who hate His disciples. (Mt 5:39-41, 44)
But He did not.
Instead, he taught them:
39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
[…]
44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Jesus could have prayed that His disciples would have a long life. (Mt 24:9)
Jesus could have prayed that His disciples would have a long life. (Mt 24:9)
But He did not.
Instead Jesus would tell them —
Matthew 24:9 (ESV)
9 “...they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.
Having heard the conclusion of Jesus’ prayer, we might think of all the various things Jesus could have prayed, for His disciples, but did not.
We might even rehearse all that Jesus DID pray for His disciples.
He prayed to His Father on their behalf:
“keep them in your name” (Jn 17:11)
“that they may be one” (Jn 17:11)
“that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves” (Jn 17:13)
“Do not…take them out of the world...” (Jn 17:15)
“keep them from the evil one” (Jn 17:15)
“Sanctify them in the truth” (Jn 17:17)
“that they may all be one…perfectly one” (Jn 17:21, 23)
Having heard the conclusion of Jesus’ prayer, we might think of all the various things Jesus could have prayed, for His disciples, but did not.
We might even rehearse all that Jesus DID pray for His disciples.
But instead, we are left to give our attention to this last prayer of Jesus — one of the most unworthy, undeserving, unfathomable, unimaginable prayers of Jesus for us, His disciples — both then and now.
Jesus prays:
John 17:24 (ESV)
24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am...
That they may be “with me where I am.”
This is a gracious prayer....
Jesus wants us to be with him.
Why? —
What do we have to offer Him in return?
We have nothing to offer Him.
What will Jesus gain by us?
Jesus gains nothing by us.
He doesn’t need anything we have.
Nothing we have done or will do adds or takes away from who Jesus is.
Jesus is not lacking in any part of His being, His character or His person, without us. He is not dependent upon us for anything!
God is not held together by us. God does not fall apart without us.
If we had never existed, God would be no less God. No less glorious. Not one bit less!
Jesus, the Word was with God in the beginning - existing in eternity before we were created, with a glory that He gave up, and prays will be restored. A glory that existed before us, and exists after us, regardless of us.
If we did not exist, God would still be the same. He is unchanging.
The world does not revolve around us. God does not need us or gain anything by us.
God is just as glorious without us as He is with us. We have nothing to offer God.
For we are born into sin.
Born — opposing God! Working against God.
The Psalmist says:
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
We are alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds (Col 1.21).
We are natural people, fleshly, carnally minded, foolish and worldly.
We are dead in the trespasses and sins in which we walk, following the course of this world. We are sons of disobedience, children of wrath (Eph 2:1-3).
We are liars, Thieves. Idolaters, Adulterers, Blasphemers, Murders.
We are enemies of God in sin. (Rom 5.10).
Knowing this, do we think that God looked at us and saw something good in us?
A spark? A possibility? Something redeemable? Something good?
The Scriptures tell us — NO. Not so!
Hear the word of the Lord for all under sin:
10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;
11 no one understands; no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 in their paths are ruin and misery,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
When God looked at us, He saw nothing good in us.
And these things have been true of every one of us. ALL of us.
Yet, Jesus prays:
John 17:24 (ESV)
24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am...
What explanation is there? That God, even the Son of God, desires to be with us? Why does God want us? Why does Jesus will this for us?
The answer is
LOVE
God’s love.
God’s gracious love.
A love that we in no way deserve, and never have deserved, and will never deserve.
A love that describes the very being of God. God is love. God does love. God acts in love.
Love that holds nothing back from saving and redeeming with the most precious sacrifice, such an undeserving, hostile, “wretch like me” and you.
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
I want to ask us all:
What are we looking forward to?
This prayer concludes with a future look. Looking ahead. Jesus is looking forward in His prayer.
What are we looking forward to?
Jesus is asking for something that is “contingent upon future developments.”
That they may be “with me where I am.”
That comes at a high cost.
Jesus is about to die, and through His death He is going to transform these sinners into saints.
Through His death — His sacrificial death, He is going to make a way for the most wretched of sinners to be forgiven. He is going to save them. He is going to buy them back. He is going to wash them. He is going to sanctify them. He is going to make them into a new creation. He is going to clothe them in righteousness, that is not their own, but His own.
So that they might be “with me where I am.”
That’s what Jesus wants as He looks ahead. He sees through the torment of the cross to this end for His Father’s glory.
What do we look forward to?
Someone will say —
“I look forward to Heaven.”
What about Heaven are you looking forward to?
Someone will say —
“I look forward to rest from my labor.”
What about that rest is attractive to you? What are you resting in?
Someone will say —
“I look forward to no more tears, no more death, no more mourning, nor crying, nor pain.”
But why?
Someone will say —
“I look forward to seeing my loved ones again.”
Who do you love? Why do you love them?
Someone will say —
“I believe in Jesus. I know I’m going to Heaven. I know I’ll be with Him.”
— This message isn’t for me, it’s for someone else.
But let me ask you:
WHY are you going to Heaven. WHY are you going to be with Jesus?
If you get this answer wrong, you might not be heading for Heaven like you think you are.
My son says “Dad, I like spending time with you. I like being with you. When is our next “man day” together?
I’m going where you go. I’m doing what you do. I love you, Dad.”
This text exhorts every one of us, as the Church of Jesus Christ, and even invites the outsider and unbeliever, to not only think about what we look forward to, but to also examine whether or not what we WANT, what we DESIRE, what we WILL for, aligns with what Jesus wants as we look and love ahead.
In the concluding verses of His prayer, Jesus prays about His will, His knowledge, and His obedience.
His will - that’s His heart.
His knowledge - that’s His mind.
And His obedience - that’s His actions.
All three of these, Church - the heart, the mind, and the actions must converge, they must meet together in agreement, if our prayers are to be effective.
How many times do we pray for something that we think about, that we know with our minds should be — but then we DO nothing about it?
We have knowledge, but no obedience.
17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
God doesn’t answer our prayers when we know what to do, but don’t obey.
How often do we pray for something that we are passionate about, yet we invest no time into learning about?
We have will, but not knowledge.
Jeremiah 4:22, the Lord says —
22 “For my people are foolish; they know me not; they are stupid children; they have no understanding. They are ‘wise’—in doing evil! But how to do good they know not.”
God has revealed truth to us. He does not answer our prayers when we rush to act without appropriating the knowledge He has given to us.
God won’t support us when we attempt to obey OUR way!
How many times do we pray about something we are doing because God says to do it, but our heart is not in it? We do it begrudgingly, without the right motives?
“I’ll give to the poor because I have to.”
“I’ll go to church because I’m supposed to.”
We have obedience, but not the will. Something is wrong!
James says —
3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
There is a heart problem.
Jesus said —
7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:
8 “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;
III. The Teaching
III. The Teaching
Jesus reveals His will, His knowledge, and His obedience — all three at the end of this prayer. And because of this, we know it is a prayer God answers with a Yes and Amen!
First, Jesus says:
“I Will...” (17:24)
“I Will...” (17:24)
This is Jesus’ desire, what He wants. This is His heart.
17.24
17.24
Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Jesus wants His disciples to be present with Him.
We know Jesus’ promise to be present with His disciples always.
He said:
Matthew 28:20 (ESV)
20 ...And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
We know that Jesus is present with His disciples, with us, through His Holy Spirit.
As Colossians 1:27 says —
Colossians 1:27 (ESV)
27 ...which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
That’s the Holy Spirit. The permanent presence of God with the child of God, the believer.
Dwelling within our hearts through faith (Eph 3.17).
Christ is in you who believe, through the Holy Spirit, and is always present with you.
The fulfillment of Psalm 23 —
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
The Holy Spirit is the Comforter.
But don’t miss the beauty of this prayer, that while Jesus promises to be present with us who believe, Jesus also prays for us to be present with Him.
He’s not praying about our presence with Him on Earth.
Our time on Earth will come to an end, our bodies will die and be buried in the grave. And then what will be of Jesus presence with us then?
Will he be present with us in the grave? He’s not in the grave! He was raised from the grave! He’s not there! He’s not going back!
Jesus desires our presence with Him in glory. That’s where He is! And that is where we will be if we have been born again unto eternal life!
24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Jesus wants us to see the glory that He prays for, when He prays —
5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
Jesus wants us to see with our eyes what we see now only by faith.
12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
When with Him, in glory, we will experience Him in all His glory, the glory of His Father, full of grace and truth.
It will be like what we have come to know on Earth, but it will be unlike anything we have ever known before.
Jesus prays for that. And he wants us to see His glory so that we might know His Father’s eternal love.
24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
We know a bit about the love of God now. The love that gave Jesus for our salvation. The love of sacrifice through the cross.
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
We know that love.
But what we don’t yet know, and what we can’t yet comprehend, and what Jesus wants us to see — is how God, the Father, so loved before we were even created.
We only see but a glimpse of the love of God. And Jesus wants us to see it fully, and know it fully.
And the only way for us to experience that love is to be “with me where I am.” To be with Jesus where He is!
But while Jesus wants this, and wills for this, and desires this, He also knows something about what is required for this to happen.
“I Know...” (17:25)
“I Know...” (17:25)
He’s not praying with will only, but also with knowledge.
Jesus knows the unrighteousness of humanity, and the incompatibility of our righteousness with His Father’s because of our sin.
Jesus prays with knowledge. His heart and His head.
17.25
17.25
O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me.
Here Jesus addresses His Father in a new way. He has called Him Father, He has called Him holy, and now, He calls Him Righteous.
“O righteous Father.”
The word “righteous” here means that Jesus knows what the Father requires (LN). He knows what is just.
And He knows that His Father is different from the world.
Immediately after addressing His Father as “righteous” Jesus then speaks of the world. As if to contrast the world to His Father.
“The world does not know you. I know you.”
The righteousness of God is made available to the unbelieving, unrighteous world through only one way — through Jesus, the Righteous One.
Knowledge of God is only revealed and acquired through Jesus.
This is why Jesus prayed:
3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
The righteous Father is only known through Jesus Christ, sent by the Father.
Jesus is God’s only provision for our righteousness!
And this is why Jesus says:
25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me.
These - these disciples, these followers who You have given me, know that you have sent me. Knowledge of Christ being sent by the Father is required.
This is why —
Romans 10:9 (ESV)
9 ...if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
This is why:
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Jesus reveals His will: “With me where I am”
His knowledge: “I know you, O righteous Father”
and Jesus also makes known His obedience. His ongoing mission.
“I Make Known...” (17:26)
“I Make Known...” (17:26)
This is Jesus’ obedience. The heart, the mind, and the feet.
17.26
17.26
I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
Jesus knew that He would be beaten, He would be crushed, He would be killed — Yet He went to the cross anyway. He pressed on, obediently, anyway.
Because it wasn’t just His will, but it was His Father’s will.
Nothing - no nothing, would deter Him from fulfilling His Father’s will. To make known His Father’s name to the world. To reveal His Father’s love to the world. And by His Holy Spirit to indwell those called out of the world, with His own love, so that they might see His glory and know the eternal love of God as they are with Him.
The [ Christ ] Conclusion
The [ Christ ] Conclusion
This text exhorts us as the Church, to not only think about what we look forward to, but this text also invites us to align what we want, our desires, our wills, with what Jesus wants so that they are the same as we look ahead.
And we are not alone. Jesus makes known His love in THEM. “I in them.”
He is speaking of all the disciples, across all of time. He is speaking of His Church. And of His Church, Jesus says - the gates of Hell will not prevail!
It is built on the rock of this confession: That Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
This is not revealed to us by flesh and blood, but only by the Father who is in heaven.
Is the Father revealing Jesus to you?
Have you found the answer to what you are looking forward to?
The answer is Jesus. Do you know Him?