John 17:20-26

20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;

21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:

23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.

26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

Dad’s notes — The Son desires unity (v. 20-26)

1. That all would be one (v. 21)

2. That all believers would be with Him (v. 24)

also for those (v.20) — Here He wasn’t only praying for the apostles, but for all who would believe from hearing their words. John’s Gospel is itself an answer to this prayer.

Verse 11 prayed for unity among the apostles. Now Christ expands . He’s praying for the unity of all believers (not for an outward show in a single denomination).

glory (v. 22) — His resurrection glory and position which He shares with those who believe. We will never become God and share in Christ’s essential glory (although we will behold this glory — v. 24), but we will share His acquired glory (we will have this glory).

The world may not see our unity in Christ at this time, but when we are glorified, the world will know it (v. 23) and know Christ was sent from the Father (1 John 4:13) by the Spirit.

The Father loves believers as He loves the Son (v. 23).

It is not difficult to find the acquired glory of our Lord in the New Testament. It is sevenfold. (1) He received in resurrection the glory of sonship, inasmuch as He is the First begotten from among the dead. We share this sonship with Him and are sons of God in Him. (2) Then God made Him the heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2). (3) God gave Him a glorious place for a reward. He seated Him at His own right hand. The man in Glory is as near to God and as dear to God as any Being can be. He holds a place higher than the angels. In Him we are seated in the heavenly places of Christ Jesus. (4) He received as His reward a glorious name, “the name which is above every other name.” And it is written “I will give Him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written which no man knoweth saving He that receiveth it,” the promise to the overcomer (Revelation 2:17). (5) He received the glory of priesthood, being constituted a priest after the order of Melchisedec. And we are priests with Him. (6) He is made King of kings and God will give Him the promised kingdom. The throne over all the earth is His and the nations will yet be His inheritance. His own are to reign and rule with Him. (7) Finally He received the glory of Judgeship. All judgment is committed to Him. This also His own will share with Him, for it is written, “Do ye not know that the Saints shall judge the world? Know ye not that we shall judge angels?” (1 Corinthians 6:1, 3). — Gaebelein, page 332-333