Jesus prayed for His disciples before He chose them, Luke 6:12, “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”
He prayed for them during His ministry, John 6:15, “When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.”
Jesus had prayed for them at the end of His ministry, Luke 22:32, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”
He prayed for them here in this text and later interceded for them in Heaven, Romans 8:34, “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”
A. The disciples had been given as a gift to Jesus Christ, John 6:37,“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”
1. God had given everything over to the Son, John 3:35, “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand:”
a. The Father has given all power to Christ, Matthew 28:18, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
b. Power to reveal the Father, Matthew 11:27, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.”
c. Power for judgment, John 5:22, “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.”
2. God had given Him dominion over everything, Daniel 7:14, “And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”
B. Jesus had given eternal life to those that the Father gave Him, v. 2.
1. They shall never perish, John 10:28, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
2. They cannot be separated from Christ, Romans 8:35-39.
C. Jesus prayed for those that the Father had given Him, v. 9; Hebrews 7:25, “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
1. Christ has enter into the very presence of God on our behalf, Hebrews 9:24, “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:”
2. He is our Advocate before the Father, 1 John 2:1-2, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous : 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
A. The Lord took us out of the world, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:”
1. Jesus “manifested” the name of the Father to us, John 1:18, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”
2. He has given us knowledge of the glory of God, 2 Corinthians 4:6, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
B. Jesus prayed that those that the Father had given Him that they might be with Him, v. 24; John 12:26, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”
1. We will see Him face to face, 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
2. We will behold the brightness of His glory, Hebrews 1:3, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”
3. We will be with Him throughout eternity, 2 Corinthians 5:1, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
He awaits the time when the Father will send Him to call His own to their heavenly home with Him.
The Lord Jesus continues His ministry seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us today.