John 17 Verses 11-17

John 17:11 “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”   

In this passage we see Jesus interceding on behalf of the disciples.  The love, care, and concern for the welfare of the disciples is evident throughout this intercessory prayer.  It is amazing to think about, as we are promised in Rom. 8:34 that he intercedes for us as well: Rom. 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.” 

 Points of intercession in the above passage are as follows: 

1.  He prayed the Father to keep the disciples in His name so that they may be one as he is with the Father.  Unity in belief and worship and service is important and we need to be unified in these things.  It is indeed a great blessing to know that Christ is interceding on behalf of the saints for their unity. 

2.  He made the point that he had kept the disciples that the Father had given him and none was lost but Judas that the scriptures might be fulfilled.  Again, it is a great blessing to know that the Son intercedes for us that we may be delivered from evil and kept in the faith. 

3.  The Lord prayed that the disciples’ joy might be fulfilled.  Knowing the desire of the Lord that our joy be fulfilled and that he is praying to that end is a great comfort to us today.   

4.  The Lord prayed the Father to keep the disciples from the evil of the world.  While we will not always be delivered from the wicked actions of wicked men, yet knowing the Father is watching over us and leading us away from partaking of the evil of the world is a great blessing to us. 

5.  The Lord prayed the Father that the disciples be sanctified through the word.  Moreover, is it a blessing to us to know that the Lord is interceding for us that we might be sanctified through the word of truth to live lives that are pleasing and honoring to God.