"These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was." (John 17:1-5)

           John records that after the Lord's discourse with His disciples in Chapter 14-6, He lifted His eyes to heaven and began to pray. This is actually the Lord's prayer. Often Matthew 6:9-13 is referred to as the "Lord's Prayer," however the Lord did not pray this prayer, but rather gave it as model prayer. Note Jesus words in introducing this prayer, "After this manner therefore pray ye" (Matthew 6:9).

          John 17 records Jesus' prayer of intercession, called the "high priestly" prayer, for His disciples and also for all who would believe on Him and be saved. In His prayer the Lord prays that God the Father would be glorified through Him.(v1-2) Further Jesus prayed for His own glorification before men that the truth of His being God incarnate in the flesh would be seen. (vs2, 5) The Lord also prays for the spiritual protection of believers. (v11) He continued praying for the sanctification and unity of believers. (vs17, 21-23) He asks that believers would behold His glory His eternal glory. (v24) Jesus ended His prayer stating the world did not know the Father, but He knew the Father and declared Him to His disciples so that the love God the Father had for the Son would also be in them.

          The New Testament does not address the posture of prayer often. John states that Jesus "lifted His eyes to heaven." In Acts 7:55, Steven also as the mob was stoning him prayed to the Father and "looked steadfastly into heaven." Lifting one's eyes to heaven shows an intense directing of one's prayer toward God who is in heaven. Jesus bowed Himself in the Garden of Gethsemane and fell on His face praying unto the Father that if it were possible that the suffering He faced would pass. (See Matt. 26:39, Mark 14:35) In Acts 20:36, states that Paul kneed down and prayed with those in the church at Ephesus. The act of bowing one's head in prayer comes from the Old Testament word for worship which is "sahah". It literally means to bow the down or to prostrate one's self. The New Testament Greek word, worship, is "proskuneo." It means "to make reverence to." Christians showing reverence to God when praying is an act of humility which manifests itself in the bowing of one's head. Although there is no mention of closing one's eyes when praying it is a common practiced though one is not instructed biblically to do so. The point of Jesus' lifting His eyes to heaven was to show He was directly addressing God the Father which denotes the intensity and earnestness of the Lord's prayer.

          Jesus began His prayer stating the hour of His betrayal, which would lead to His crucifixion and resurrection was only minutes away. John Chapter 18 records that immediately after the Lord's prayer He crossed the brook Cedron (Kidron) to the Mount of Olives and entered into the Garden of Gethsemane where Judas betrayed Him. The Lord specifically states that He was given the power over all flesh to give eternal life to all the Lord had given Him.

           Two things are addressed in Jesus' statement. First, He and only He had been given the power over all flesh by God the Father. The word "power" (exousia) meaning "authority" or the lawful right over all flesh. Jesus does not state that He was acting in His own authority but rather in the authority of God the Father. This gives us an incite into the Trinity. The plan of salvation is the plan of the first member of the Trinity the Father. Everything proceeds from Him. Jesus, is called the "only begotten Son of God" denoting His subordination to the Father. Jesus said in John 5:36-37, 43 that He was sent by God the Father and the works He did was given to Him by the Father. (See John 3:16-18) Therefore it was the Father's plan that Jesus would suffer, die and pay the penalty for the sins of the world. This absolutely precludes that any man had any part in providing redemption for himself or anyone else. Christ shed blood alone is provided the atonement for sin to those who believe God and in faith receive His salvation. God never gave this authority to any man or church to remit sin. That is solely the work of the Son of God.

          The word flesh has a number of uses in the Bible, but here refers to the carnal nature of man. (See John 3:3, Rom. 6:19, 7:5, 18, 8:1, 8, Gal. 5:19-24) God's plan, promised in the Garden of Eden when man sinned, was the central theme of the Old Testament and was about to be fulfilled. (See Gen. 3:15)

           Second, Jesus states that those who received eternal life were "given unto Him." Six times in the Lord's prayer He states the believers were given unto Him by the Father. (John 17:2, 6, 9, 11, 12, 24) This further confirms the headship and authority of God the Father as our Creator who by His will we came into existence and live. All men belong to God and therefore are responsible to Him. The point in Jesus' statement is that we belong to the Father, but the Father has given us to His Son Jesus Christ.

          Something that is given is a gift, thus Jesus is saying that God has given the believer Jesus Christ. Nothing given is offered without a purpose and Jesus' prayer addresses God's purpose for believers. The first stated purpose is that the Lord Jesus would give them eternal life. Jesus states how then these who are given to Him receive eternal life. He says, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3) Truly, knowing Jesus Christ means that a person not only understands with a head knowledge, but with a sincere belief that surrenders to and accept who Jesus is as the Savior, who paid the penalty for sins. It is a knowledge without rebellion that acknowledges one's sin in light of the holiness and righteousness of God and by faith welcomes Him into their life.

          Jesus states that He has glorified the Father on the earth and finished the work the Father sent Him to do. That work was completely when on the cross, having suffered and paid for the sins of the world, Jesus let death which is the ultimate penalty for sin, take Him. (See John 19:30) God pronounced that sin would bring death in warning Adam and Eve not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They disobeyed God and therefore the penalty of death had to be executed. This was the will of God the Father, that the Messiah would come and endure death, that man could be pardoned and redeemed from the condemnation of sin. In this God the Father was glorified that Jesus Christ, God incarnate in flesh, fulfilled God's plan of offering grace and mercy to His rebellious creation. God's grace shows His character and reveals His true glory. God is a mercy and grace.

           The Lord states that He was with the Father before the world was. Two things are made clear by His statement. The creation of the universe and man was not just some random act, but was contemplated and planned before God spoke the world into existence. Man's rebellion did not take God by surprise and He was undeterred, by man's rejection, and God's purpose was so great and wonderful in its final outcome. Such is the wonderful thing that salvation brings to the man who will submit himself in faith to God's purpose for his life. We cannot even begin to imagine the joys that lay ahead for the child of God in the future in heaven. This truth is beyond our ability to comprehend, but in it we can catch a glimpse of God majesty and glory. The believer can see the glory of God in the person and work of Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son. The glory of something is transient in His character and essence and that is clearly seen in the atoning suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Can we even imagine what Christ endured on the cross for each of us? What love, what grace, mercy is the Person of Jesus the Christ.

           "I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them." (John 17:6-10)

           In declaring (manifesting) God's name, Jesus revealed who God truly was, what was His nature, and plan. Though out Jesus' prayer He emphasizes that all He did was done in accordance with the Father's will. This denotes that in His work, Jesus is subordinate to God the Father within the Trinity, and in His ministry. It does not mean that Jesus is inferior because He is God, but it shows the His role as Emmanuel, "God with us," (Matt. 1:23) carrying out God's plan on earth. This is stated in Colossians Chapter One:

           "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." (Colossians 1:12-17)

           Earlier in John's Gospel He stated this important truth.

           "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men." (John 1:1-4)

           Though most of mankind rejects God and His salvation, some believe and are saved. These whom the Father has given to the Son, have known that Jesus was doing Jehovah's will. This is important to understand in light of the Jew's supposed belief that they worshiped Jehovah, who was their Father and made them a nation. The Jewish leaders rejected Jesus because they would not accept that He was God incarnate in the flesh, thus they saw Him as a false God. Jesus in this statement is confirming that His disciples, and those who believed in Him, knew He was God.

           Jesus then emphasizes that He was praying for believers and not for the lost world, but for those whom the Father has given Him out of the world. The unsaved world is only given to Christ Jesus when they believe and trust Him as their Savior. What the Lord prays for is not applicable to the unsaved. The lost cannot be sanctified, nor can they be sent out in Jesus' name into the world, and they cannot be one with Him, or can the world be given the Lord's glory. (John 17:17-21) The blessings of salvation are available to the unsaved, but they are not the Lord's. As the Great Shepherd, all the saved belong to the Father and also to Jesus as God and the glory of God's salvation is seen in those who trust in Jesus Christ.

           Does Christ care for the unsaved? The answer is absolutely as 1 John 2:2 states "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:2) Jesus proclaimed God's love for the world in John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (John 3:16-17) However, in this prayer Christ is praying for His disciples and those that would throughout history believe in Him and be saved.

           "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. 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." (John 17:11-12)

           Referring to His return to heaven after His coming crucifixion, death and resurrection the Lord states again that He will not be with them physically. He would be in heaven with the Holy Father. Note that Jesus honors the Father by referring to Him as the "Holy" Father. Holy describes God's righteousness and purity.

           There appear to be two elements of Jesus prayer for believers. One, is stated in verse 12, that no believer be lost. Believers have God's complete assurance in their salvation. Once a person believes they are completely forgiven of all their sin and given eternal life. It is God who keeps believers. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:3-5) A true Christians is not saved by his works nor can he keep himself saved. Salvation is wholly of God and His promise is absolute, none are lost. (Roman 8:35-39)

           Jesus' prayer also was that the Father would keep believers spiritually in oneness as is God the Father and the Son. If believers are spiritually united in God's name, meaning in the truth of His word, they will be physically united as well. The problem today is that there are many schisms within Christianity. The reason is that men are not following the word of God. There is perfect unity in God's word and in those who believe and follow it. The confusion seen today is not because God has left us in disorder, but because sinful men refuse His truth. There are many reasons men reject God's clearly stated principles and instructions and follow faulty human reasoning and wisdom. Some reject God word, and use Christianity for filthy lucre's sake making merchandise of Christianity. The implication in the Lord's prayer is that those who truly believe in Him will believe and obey His word. In that, the Father will keep them spiritually sound.

           Jesus said when He was with the disciples He kept them in the Father's name and none was lost save Judas, called the son of perdition. Judas was not saved. He professed to be the Lord's disciple, but he followed Jesus so he could steal from Him. Psalm 41:9 prophesied of Judas' betrayal, "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me." (See John 6:70, Acts 1:16, 25) Jesus never savingly believed in Jesus Christ. Like many today they use the Lord for their financial gain. They cannot lose what they never had.

           "And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 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. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." (John 17:13-16)

           Christ's next statement is given to encourage His disciples and to believers who have followed them. He says He is praying aloud and so they could hear that He was concerning and though not physically present would be with them. He prayed this so they could take great comfort in knowing of His intercession for them. In view is that fact that Jesus has given God's word to those who believe, and because the world hated God, they would hated His word and them that believed. However, in spite of this, the child of God can be assured of the Lord's favor and presence, therefore they can have joy, meaning delight and gladness in their hearts. Note what the Lord said through Peter:

           "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:12-15)

           The children of God though in the world are not of this world. Once saved a person is transformed and becomes a pilgrim and strangers on this earth. (Heb. 11:13, 1 Pet. 2:110 Paul said speaking to believers at Ephesus states the child of God is given a new home, "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God" (Ephesians 2:19) Many false teachers proclaim the brotherhood of mankind and infer that we are all God's children. All men are created by God, but all men are not His children. In John 8:41-44, Jesus plainly stated that the religious leaders of the Jews were all their father the devil. 1 Corinthians 4:2-4 refers to the unsaved who are blinded by the god of this world who is Satan.

           "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth." (John 17:17-19)

           The word sanctification is related to the holiness of God. That means being wholly separated unto Him and dedicated to His service. In other word to be sanctified means to be totally belong to God. It precludes any dual purpose in that which is sanctified meaning whatever is sanctified to God cannot be used for anything other purpose, other than God's.

           Jesus prayed that believers would be sanctified through God's truth, and plainly states only God's word is the source of truth. Sanctification is pictured repeatedly in the Old Testament in the construction of the Tabernacle. Once the Tabernacle was completed and dedicated or sanctified unto the Lord it was a special place and object. Nothing of the world was allowed to enter through it gates. Further, everything that took place inside the sanctified Tabernacle, which involved making sacrifices which pictured the future sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, was done strictly in accordance with God's word. Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu violated God's instructions in this holy place and both were instantly killed. Sanctification refers to the holiness, purity, greatness, and righteousness of God. Sanctification honors God and defines who He is in His person and essence. He is totally and absolutely separated from sin.

           Therefore Jesus was praying that God the Father would separate believers from their sins. Although the believer has a carnal nature and bent to sin, practically sanctification is possible though obeying God's word. To obey the word the believer must know it and then apply it to his life. Ultimately, the believer is sanctified in that all his sins have been forgiven. Further, because his is still a sinner and in the world, through obeying God's word he is in the process of sanctification. The final act of sanctification will be accomplished when the Lord returns and believers are resurrected at the rapture and given their new and glorified bodies.

           Jesus states He has sanctified Himself. We know that Jesus was perfect and holy being God and therefore His statement could not refer to His having to be separated from sin. What He meant was that He was submissive to the Father's word, God's plan of salvation in which He would go to the cross and suffer and die for the sins of the world. Jesus therefore was dedicated to go to the cross and pay the sin debt of the world.

           "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." (John 17:20-21)

           The whole of Christ's prayer was for all believers through the rest of time. He was praying for His disciplines that were presence with Him and also for all who would follow them. Certainly, later as the disciples preached the Gospel and people were saved they told them of Jesus' prayer for them. His disciples and those would be saved would be witnesses of Him into the world. After His resurrection Jesus last words to His disciples was "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8) Further as Matthew records "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:18-20)

           God's plan is that His children propagate themselves by preaching the Gospel to others. Paul proclaimed what should be our passion "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16)

           Jesus' request for the oneness of believers, as God the Father and Son are one, beckons each professing believer to unerringly know and live God's word. The reason is that the unsaved world would see the unity in God's word and in His children and that they would be lead to believe in Him as their Savior also. Yet, Satan's work is everywhere we look, spreading deception and division. God said "And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand." (Mark 3:25) Sadly and realistically there is little oneness in modern Christianity. The tares are sow among the wheat and it is difficult to discern them one from the other. Popular and charismatic radio and TV preachers hawk their false teachings to gullible people who are undiscerning, not knowing God's word. The message is modern Christianity is that God's word is not supreme and to be obeyed. These evil men, who Paul referred to as "angels of light" seen a message that has no unity and proclaim that truth is only relevant depending on the situation. Those who truly and uncompromisingly believe and live by God's word are ridiculed and the truth they proclaim is belittled and not believed.

           Jesus stated the end of such men saying "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. . . .Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves." (Matthew 23:13, 15)

           Jesus' prayer was not in vain and believers are encouraged and challenged to remain faithful. Paul at the end of his ministry compels the young pastor Timothy and to you and I saying:

           "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." (2 Timothy 4:2-5)

           "And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." (John 17:22-23)

           The word glory can have various meanings, but here is refers to dignity and honor. Jesus said He has given believers the same glory that the Father has given Him. What a wonderful truth and uplifting truth that the Jesus imparts His dignity and honor unto those who by faith accept Him as their Lord and Savior. How amazing that He states the glory He gives is the same glory the Father has given Him.

           The purpose for bestowing His glory on believers is that they be one with Him. Some conclude that his glory is to be a future state and certainly that is true, but the present state of believers is also in view. A true Christian, who knows and loves the Lord will stand out in this sinful world we live in. Though the world hate the child of God, they hate him because they know that he is a child of God which rebukes them. Jesus said "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:35

           John wrote in his first Epistle "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments." (1 John 5:1-2) ) The love of God in a person's live cannot be hid nor can living by God's word. It will manifest itself openly and the world will observe what they do not have.

           Jesus said in Matthew 5:14 that believers ". . .are the light of the world." The light of the world is Jesus Christ. The light refers to His ministry as the Savior of the world come to atone for sin and offer salvation to those who would believe. Believers are to show forth the light of the Gospel and men would know Jesus was truly God incarnate in flesh and the Savior. Proclaiming this truth or light authenticates that Jesus was truly who He said He was and was sent by God the Father to complete His plan of salvation.

           "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them." (John 17:24-26)

           No believer can fully comprehend how marvelous it will be to be in heaven with the Lord. This is the "blessed hope" Paul wrote to encourage believers to live godly lives. "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:13-14)

           God explains "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (1 Corinthians 2:9) In the Old Testament Isaiah proclaimed the wonderful truth "For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him." (Isaiah 64:4)

           In light of Jesus' words the wonderful song "When we see Jesus" becomes so meaningfully to us:

Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,
We're tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;
But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,
All tears forever over in God's eternal day.

Sometimes the sky looks dark with not a ray of light,
We're tossed and driven on, no human help in sight;
But there is one in heav'n who knows our deepest care,
Let Jesus solve your problem - just go to Him in pray'r.

Life's day will soon be o'er, all storms forever past,
We'll cross the great divide, to glory, safe at last;
We'll share the joys of heav'n - a harp, a home, a crown,
The tempter will be banished, we'll lay our burden down.

Chorus: It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.
(By Esther Kerr Rusthoi)

           Jesus refers to God the Father as righteous, which simply means He is right. His plan and purpose are absolute and correct. God's plan of salvation was clearly made before He created the universe. God is omniscient meaning He knows all things. He knew man would sin, but created him anyway and planned for man's redemption. Peter stated this truth of Jesus' coming to earth to atone for sins. "Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God." (1 Peter 1:20-21)

           Throughout the Old and New Testaments one can clearly see God bringing His plan to volition. Ephesians 1:1-12 explains that God elected His plan, which refers to what salvation would accomplish for the believer. Paul express what God has elected in Romans 8:17-19 "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God." (Romans 8:17-19)

           The world continues on its fateful course toward judgment and damnation ignoring God or perverting the knowledge of Him as Romans 8:13-23 plainly proclaims. But, without question, the child of God knows who Jesus Christ is and why He came to earth. His belief in this truth saves the sinner and reconciles him to God.

           With all the wonderful things Jesus' prayed that believers would received His last words even surpass this marvelous blessings the believer has in the Lord. Jesus says He has declared God's name to those who have believed and referring to His coming death and resurrection would declare it further. The Lord then prays that the same love the Father had for Him would also be in those who received Him as their Lord and Savior. Can we comprehend the scope of the Savior's statement? He prayed that God would love believers the same as God loved His Son Jesus Christ.

          Jesus concludes His prayer by praying that the love and also His person would be in those who believe. He had earlier stated that although He was physically leaving and returning to heaven He would send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit who would be with them and would indwell them. Thus believers in this dispensation of the Church Age are indwelled by the Holy Spirit when they are saved, given the new nature of Christ Himself and forever sealed as the children of God. Paul proclaimed this wonderful truth to the Ephesians and it is proper to end this commentary on John 17 with his words:

           "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Ephesians 3:14-21) [underline added]

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