João 17
J.C. Ryle · Citado em PreceptAustin
João 17
Ryle - We need not doubt that, in this place at any rate, the word "sanctify" means "make holy." It is a prayer that the Father would make His people more holy, more spiritual, more pure, more saintly in thought and word and deed, in life and character. Grace had done something for the disciples already—called, converted, renewed, and changed them. The great Head of the Church prays that the work of grace may be carried higher and further, and that His people may be more thoroughly sanctified and made holy in body, soul, and spirit—in fact more like Himself. Surely we need not say much to show the matchless wisdom of this prayer. More holiness is the very thing to be desired for all servants of Christ. Holy living is the great proof of the reality of Christianity. Men may refuse to see the truth of our arguments, but they cannot evade the evidence of a godly life. Such a life adorns religion and makes it beautiful, and sometimes wins those who are not "won by the Word." Holy living trains Christians for heaven. The nearer we live to God while we live, the more ready shall we be to dwell forever in His presence when we die. Our entrance into heaven will be entirely by grace, and not of works; but heaven itself would be no heaven to us if we entered it with an unsanctified character. Our hearts must be in tune for heaven if we are to enjoy it. There must be a moral "fitness for the inheritance of the saints in light," as well as a title. Christ's blood alone can give us a title to enter the inheritance. Sanctification must give us a capacity to enjoy it. Who, in the face of such facts as these, need wonder that increased sanctification should be the first thing that Jesus asks for His people? Who that is really taught of God can fail to know that holiness is happiness, and that those who walk with God most closely, are always those who walk with Him most comfortably? Let no man deceive us with vain words in this matter. He who despises holiness and neglects good works, under the vain pretense of giving honor to justification by faith, shows plainly that he has not the mind of Christ. C H
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Ryle - We should mark, secondly, in these verses, how Jesus prays for the unity and oneness of His people. "That they all may be one—that they may be one in Us—that they may be one even as We are one"—and "that so the world may believe and know that You have sent Me,"—this is a leading petition in our Lord's prayer to His Father. We can ask no stronger proof of the value of unity among Christians, and the sinfulness of division, than the great prominence which our Master assigns to the subject in this passage. How painfully true it is that in every age divisions have been the scandal of religion, and the weakness of the Church of Christ! How often Christians have wasted their strength in contending against their brethren, instead of contending against sin and the devil! How repeatedly they have given occasion to the world to say, "When you have settled your own internal differences we will believe!" All this, we need not doubt, the Lord Jesus foresaw with prophetic eye. It was the foresight of it which made Him pray so earnestly that believers might be "one." Let the recollection of this part of Christ's prayer abide in our minds, and exercise a constant influence on our behavior as Christians. Let no man think lightly, as some men seem to do, of schism, or count it a small thing to multiply sects, parties, and denominations. These very things, we may depend, only help the devil and damage the cause of Christ. "If it be possible, as much as lies in us, let us live peaceably with all men." (Rom. 12:18.) Let us bear much, concede much, and put up with much, before we plunge into secessions and separations. They are movements in which there is often much false fire. Let rabid zealots who delight in sect-making and party-forming, rail at us and denounce us if they please. We need not mind them. So long as we have Christ and a good conscience, let us patiently hold on our way, follow the things that make for peace, and strive to promote unity. It was not for nothing that our Lord prayed so fervently that His people might be "one." Promoting Unity Read: Proverbs 6:16-19 The Lord hates . . . one who sows discord among brethren. — Proverbs 6:16,19 The language of Proverbs 6:16-19 is strong. In the citing of seven things the Lord hates, sowing “discord among brethren” makes the list. The reason for naming this sin is that it spoils the unity that Christ desires for His followers (John 17:21-22). Those who sow discord may not initially set out to create divisions. They may be preoccupied instead with their personal needs or the interests of a group they belong to (James 4:1-10). Consider how Lot’s herdsmen argued with those of Abraham (Gen. 13:1-18); Christ’s disciples argued about personal preeminence (Luke 9:46); and divisive groups in the church at Corinth elevated party factions above the unity of the Spirit (1 Cor. 3:1-7). So what is the best way to promote unity? It begins with the transformation of the heart. When we adopt the mind of Christ, we develop an attitude of humility and we focus on service toward others (Phil. 2:5-11). Only in Him can we access the power to “look out not only for [our] own interests, but also for the interests of others” (v.4). Soon the needs and hopes of others become more important to us than our own. Like a mighty army moves the church of God; Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod. We are not divided, all one body we— One in hope and doctrine, one in charity. — Baring-Gould We can accomplish more together than we can alone. Is Somebody Singing? [Bear] with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. — Ephesians 4:2-3 From 200 miles above Earth, Chris Hadfield, Canadian astronaut and commander of the International Space Station, joined in song with a group of students in a studio on Earth. Together they performed “Is Somebody Singing,” co-written by Hadfield and Ed Robertson. One phrase of the song caught my attention: “You can’t make out borders from up here.” Although we humans draw many lines to separate ourselves from one another—national, ethnic, ideological—the song reminded me that God doesn’t see such distinctions. The important thing to God is that we love Him and each other (Mark 12:30-31). Like a loving father, God wants His family united. We cannot accomplish what God has for us to do if we refuse to be reconciled with one another. In His most impassioned prayer, on the night before He was crucified, Jesus pleaded with God to unite His followers: “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us” (John 17:21). O for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemer’s praise, The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of His grace. — Wesley Singing God’s praises will never go out of style. Andrew
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Ryle - We should mark, finally, in these verses, how Jesus prays that His people may at last be with Him and behold His glory. "I will," He says, "that those whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am—that they may behold my glory." This is a singularly beautiful and touching conclusion to our Lord's remarkable prayer. We may well believe that it was meant to cheer and comfort those who heard it, and to strengthen them for the parting scene which was fast drawing near. But for all who read it even now, this part of his prayer is full of sweet and unspeakable comfort. We do not see Christ now. We read of Him, hear of Him, believe in Him, and rest our souls in His finished work. But even the best of us, at our best, walk by faith and not by sight, and our poor halting faith often makes us walk very feebly in the way to heaven. There shall be an end of all this state of things one day. We shall at length see Christ as He is, and know as we have been known. We shall behold Him face to face, and not through a glass darkly. We shall actually be in His presence and company, and go out no more. If faith has been pleasant, much more will sight be; and if hope has been sweet, much more will certainty be. No wonder that when Paul has written, "We shall ever be with the Lord," he adds, "Comfort one another with these words." (1 Thess. 4:17, 18.) We know little of heaven now. Our thoughts are all confounded, when we try to form an idea of a future state in which pardoned sinners shall be perfectly happy. "It does not yet appear what we shall be." (I John 3:2.) But we may rest ourselves on the blessed thought, that after death we shall be "with Christ." Whether before the resurrection in paradise, or after the resurrection in final glory, the prospect is still the same. True Christians shall be "with Christ." We need no more information. Where that blessed Person is who was born for us, died for us, and rose again, there can be no lack of anything. David might well say, "In Your presence is fullness of joy, and at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11.) Let us leave this wonderful prayer with a solemn recollection of the three great petitions which it contains. Let holiness and unity by the way, and Christ's company in the end, be subjects never long out of our thoughts or distant from our minds. Happy is that Christian who cares for nothing so much as to be holy and loving like his Master, while he lives, and a companion of his Master when he dies. Chris Tiegreen - Fulfilling His Glory “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” John 17:24 “Our great honor lies in being just what Jesus was and is. What greater glory could come to any man?” —A. W. Tozer IN WORD The glory of God is to be shared. That is the point of creation. We exist to appreciate God’s glory—there is no higher purpose for us (ED: (Westminster Shorter Catechism article 1) ). It is no wonder, then, at the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, that this is His prayer. He wants us to be with Him, to see His glory, and to understand the love between the Father and the Son, which—through Him— extends to us. This world is not about us and our welfare. It is about Him and His glory. “All things were created by Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16). We are onlookers at the divine spectacle and glad participants in the heavenly celebration. But the amazing thing about Jesus’ prayer is that He not only wants us to share His glory by letting us see it, He also wants us to share His glory by having some of it (Jn 17:22). Unworthy as we are, He has given us the glory that the Father gave Him—we are called by His name and filled with His Spirit—as a further display of Who He is for the sake of all creation to see. In beholding His glory, we are able to reflect it (Ro 8:18; 2 Corinthians 3:18). What a privilege! IN DEED We often feel trapped in mundane lives—just existing rather than actually living with purpose. Jesus’ prayer reminds us that our purpose far exceeds our ability to even begin to comprehend. We are partakers in the glory of God. We were created to see it. We were created to enjoy it. And we were created to share it with Him. We are inextricably bound to Christ, who is in perfect unity with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. No other created being has such unity with God! No angel or spirit can know such fellowship as that which we will experience—and can already begin to experience—with the eternal Father! Trapped in a meaningless existence? Never. We are children of God. Share His glory. (SEE At His Feet: Daily Readings to Deepen Your Walk with Jesus - Page 244) John 17:25 “O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; KJV John 17:25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. BGT John 17:25 πάτερ δίκαιε, καὶ ὁ κόσμος σε οὐκ ἔγνω, ἐγὼ δέ σε ἔγνων, καὶ οὗτοι ἔγνωσαν ὅτι σύ με ἀπέστειλας· NET John 17:25 Righteous Father, even if the world does not know you, I know you, and these men know that you sent me. CSB John 17:25 Righteous Father! The world has not known You. However, I have known You, and these have known that You sent Me. ESV John 17:25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. NIV John 17:25 "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. NLT John 17:25 "O righteous Father, the world doesn't know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. NRS John 17:25 "Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. NJB John 17:25 Father, Upright One, the world has not known you, but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me. NAB John 17:25 Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. YLT John 17:25 'Righteous Father, also the world did not know Thee, and I knew Thee, and these have known that Thou didst send me, righteous: John 17:11 Isa 45:21 Ro 3:26 the world: John 8:19,55 Jn 15:21 Jn 16:3 Mt 11:27 Lu 10:22 Ac 17:23 26:18 Ro 1:28 Ro 3:11 1Co 1:21 15:34 2Co 4:4 Ga 4:8,9 2Th 1:8 Heb 8:11 1Jn 5:19,20 Rev 13:8 yet: John 1:18 5:19,20 7:29 10:15 these: John 17:8 6:19 16:27,30 Mt 16:16 Related Passages: Psalm 11:7 For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; The upright will behold His face. Psalm 116:5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate. Psalm 119:137 Tsadhe. Righteous are You, O LORD, And upright are Your judgments. Jeremiah 12:1 Righteous are You, O LORD, that I would plead my case with You; Indeed I would discuss matters of justice with You: Why has the way of the wicked prospered? Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease? KNOWING GOD This title reminds me of a book I read almost 40 years ago written by J I Packer entitled Knowing God. It is one of those Christian books which every believer should take time to read. Click here to borrow a copy to read. O righteous (dikaios) Father (pater) - This is the only time in the Bible God is specifically called righteous Father. This title means among other things that whatever He does in time and eternity is right, while the whole world is wrong (unrighteous because of Adam's sin Ro 5:12+). In the context of Jesus' prayer the implication is that His Father would do what is right regarding the requests He had made. Righteousness is the character or quality of being right or just” and was formerly spelled “rightwiseness,” which clearly expresses the meaning. God is frequently described as righteous in His person (1Jn 2:29; 3:7), His ways (Rev 15:3), His judgments (2Th 1:5–6; Rev 16:5, 7; Rev 19:2) and forgiveness (1Jn 1:9). He is totally righteous because He is totally as He should be. The righteousness of God could be succinctly stated as that which is all that God is, all that He commands, all that He demands, all that He approves, all that He provides through Christ in the Gospel (Ro 1:16, 17+). God is always righteous and His righteousness causes Him to always think and do what is right in perfect goodness in relation to His creation. God’s justice, love and mercy must be harmonized with His righteousness which cannot be compromised. As an attribute of God righteousness is united with holiness as being essential in His nature (Ps 11:7) In the context of the Cross looming imminently in the foreground, Jesus, in designating God as Righteous Father, affirms that all that the Father has planned for Him in this grand drama of redemption is righteous (right). The cross does not diminish the Father's righteousness, but in fact demonstrates His righteousness. Herbert Locker on righteous Father - Why "O righteous Father" (Jn 17:25), and not "Holy Father" (v. 11)? This further couplet corresponds to the burden of His prayer in this remaining section. Had it not been for Calvary where divine righteousness was manifested, vindicated, satisfied, there would never have been a Gospel for His own to proclaim to a needy world. By His death and resurrection Christ was made unto us Righteousness and on such a basis guilty sinners can venture nigh and be saved (2Co 5:21). Further, is it not blessed to know that we have a heavenly Father who ever acts righteously and justly? In His dealings with His own redeemed children, yes, and with the multitudes who are not His, He can never act contrary to His own nature. In all His disciplinary dealing He is, and can never be anything else, but "righteous in all His ways." (Ps 145:17, cf Da 9:14) In the last verse of this most remarkable prayer ever prayed, Jesus said, "I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it" (Jn 17:26). As a whole, the prayer supposes Calvary, and our Lord's ascension to heaven, as already accomplished. The have refers to the past unfolding of His Father's name (Jn 20:17). Will points to the future declaring of God's wondrous name from the coming of the Holy Spirit and on, throughout the age of Grace. (BORROW All the Divine Names page 70) Although the world (kosmos) has (absolutely) not known (ginosko) You - The unregenerate kosmos does not know the Father because they do not know the Son. Sure, everyone in America knows about God because we see the phrase on our coins "In God We Trust." But sadly most Americans do not know Him personally because they do not personally know His Son. The only way to know the Father is to know the Son, to believe in Him with all your heart and confess Him with your lips (cf Ro 10:9-10+). THOUGHT - When I was miraculously born again 40 years ago, I vividly remember the exhilaration and excitement I experienced to the point that I had to tell everyone I knew what had happened to me. The saddest encounter was the day I told about my new birth to my childhood Lutheran Pastor, Pastor Leja, a man I dearly loved and respected. I was flabbergasted when he responded that he was pleased for me but he did not believe in Jesus as the only way to the Father. Talk about a moment that breaks your heart! I'm sure you've had similar experiences. The point is that Pastor Leja clearly knew volumes ABOUT God, but sadly he did not really KNOW God. There are undoubtedly many pulpits filled each Sunday by men who do not truly KNOW God. If you are in such a church, you need to separate immediately and find a pastor who truly KNOWS God. Yet - In contrast to the world's ignorance of the Father we have Jesus' knowledge of Him. I have known (ginosko) You; and these (the eleven) have known (ginosko) that You sent (apostello) Me - Jesus has an intimate relation with His Father (and has had this relationship for all eternity) and the fact that the Father sent Him to be incarnated as a Man has been revealed by the Spirit to the disciples.