Chapter 17
John 17:20–23
Theme: Jesus desires to share His glory and love with His people forever—inviting us into eternal intimacy with the Father.
Jesus Prays for Eternal Fellowship 24 “Father, I want everyone You have given Me to be with Me where I am. Then they will see My glory—the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the world began. 25 Righteous Father, the world doesn’t know You, but I do. And these disciples know that You sent Me. 26 I have made You known to them, and I will keep on making You known, so that Your love for Me may be in them, and I Myself will live in them.”
IN THIS LESSON
What’s Really Going On?
As Jesus finishes His prayer, He lifts one final, breathtaking request: that we would be with Him—forever.
He doesn’t just want followers who obey or believers who try hard. He wants companionship. He wants those the Father has given Him to see His glory firsthand, to live in the eternal love that has always existed between Father and Son.
This is the heartbeat of eternity: not just salvation from sin, but relationship with God that never ends.
Jesus is drawing back the curtain on the divine relationship that existed before time—and He’s saying: “I want them to be part of it.”
“Father, I want those You’ve given Me to be with Me where I am.”
“I’ve made You known to them—and will keep making You known.”
What Was Said or Done?
“I want them to see My glory—the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the world began.”
“So that the love You have for Me may be in them—and I Myself may live in them.”
“Righteous Father, the world doesn’t know You—but I know You. And these know You sent Me.”
Let’s Talk About It
Let’s Talk About It
Decisions They Faced
The disciples were about to lose the physical presence of Jesus. They had to trust that the relationship wasn’t ending—it was just beginning in a new way.
They had to choose whether to live for this world or for the eternal glory Jesus promised.
We face the same decision: Will we live for temporary gain or for the eternal presence of Jesus?
What Happened Next?
Jesus’s warning didn’t prevent the storm—it gave them an anchor before it hit.
Jesus was glorified through the cross, resurrection, and ascension.
The Church was born, shaped by the expectation of seeing Jesus again—and experiencing His full glory face to face.
The disciples couldn’t see Him physically anymore—but they were filled with the Holy Spirit, a down payment of eternal fellowship.
Living It Out
Living It Out
💬 Let’s Make It Personal
Are you more focused on temporary things or eternal ones right now?What’s distracting you from Jesus’s invitation to “be with Him”?
Do you believe Jesus wants you—not just to serve Him, but to be close to Him forever?
What part of His glory are you most longing to see or experience?
Your Next Step
Action 1: Daily “With Jesus” Practice
Choose 5–10 minutes each day this week to simply sit in silence with Jesus.
Don’t perform. Don’t ask. Just be present. Say:
“Jesus, You prayed for me to be with You. I’m here.”
Action 2: Eternal Lens Reflection
Write down three things you’re worried about today.
Next to each one, write:
“In eternity, this will no longer define me.”
Ask Jesus to help you see these concerns through the lens of forever.
Action 3: Pray for Presence
Pray:
“Jesus, help me live from the reality that You want me with You—not just later, but now.
Let me walk in Your love and glory today, as a glimpse of the life to come.”