Worship Preparation Guide for Sunday, February 15

This week we will conclude our walk through John 17 as we hear Jesus pray for us; for those who would later believe in Him through the witness of the apostles.  This week we listen in as Jesus prays for Westwood.  In preparation for gathering together in worship this week please read again the 17^th chapter of John. 

For now let’s focus on verse 24:  Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.  Jn 17: 24

The word “desire” (ESV) is translated in other translations as “Father, I will”, a much stronger term that goes beyond simply asking for something.  Jesus is declaring his will to the Father.  In this statement Jesus speaks to the Father in a way that we cannot.  “It was a word of authority, becoming Him who was God as well as man.  He speaks of this as His right”. (AW Pink, Exposition of John)  Here Jesus is speaking as one “who paid for what he prayed for”.  (M. Henry)

What was it Jesus is praying to the Father?  He is praying that the Redeemed, those who have trusted in Christ, will be with him in Heaven, that they (we) would see his glory. 

I confess that I don’t think about heaven as much as I should.  Unlike Abraham and so many other saints, I am not consistently “looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” (Heb 11:10) So it would be good for me (and perhaps you) to meditate on John 17:24, for it tells us much about heaven; what we have to look forward to; what we should be longing for; what Jesus is saying it will be like.  

First, heaven is where Christ is: “where I am” are the words Jesus uses to describe that place.  “.. the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.  (Revelation 22:3)

Second, we will be with him there; “that they may be with me”.  Jesus is declaring the fulfillment of the promise he made in John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”   Our joy in that place will focus on his presence.  This is what David longed for when he said, “in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Ps. 16:11)

Third, the glory of heaven is the glory of Christ.  That glory was the “glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.”  It is the brightness, the majesty, the glory that caused angels to cover their faces (Is 6:2).  It is the glory that is the only light of heaven (Rev 21:23).  This glory will cause us to see and understand fully.  Matthew Henry said we “will see into those springs of love from which flow all the streams of grace; they shall have an appropriating sight of Christ's glory.”  This “appropriating sight” of glory is what I think John had in mind when he wrote, Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.  (1 John 3:2)

All of this and more is what Jesus prays for us in John 17.  This is what we will experience together.  All of heaven, all of Jesus’ presence, will be experienced together by those God has given to the Son; those the Son purchased with his own blood on the cross.  This is what the writer of Hebrews declares is awaiting us:  But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.  (Heb 12:22-24)

This heavenly celebration is what we have to look forward to, and it is what we will experience in a very small and limited way as we gather for worship this Sunday.  We will sing; we will pray; we will read the Word and hear it preached.  We will also share the Lord’s Supper this week.  Pray that though every aspect of our service we will seek and experience the presence of the Lord Jesus and catch a glimpse of his glory. 

One final thought: In this prayer for us Jesus prayed primarily for one thing – the unity of His followers.  In just three verses Jesus repeats this theme four times. (John 17:21-23) This will also be the theme of our worship this Sunday as we sing Make Us One, by Twila Paris.  The words and tune are very simple, but the request is profound.  Pray it as you sing it.

Make us one, make us one; 

Make us one undivided body.

Make us one, make us one; 

For the sake of Your Name make us one

Make us love, make us love; 

Make us love so the world will know we love You.

Make us love, make us love; 

For the sake of Your Name make us love.

Make us pure, make us pure; 

Make us pure and righteous, make us holy.

Make us pure, make us pure; 

For the sake of Your Name make us pure.

For the sake of Your Name 'til You come; 

For the sake of Your Name make us one.