João 17
G. Campbell Morgan · Citado em PreceptAustin
João 17
Morgan - Fire (BORROW From this verse : 365 inspiring stories about the power of God's word) Blaise Pascal was without equal, a brilliant French philosopher, scientist, mathematician, and inventor. As a boy in Paris, his remarkable grasp of mathematics led to his involvement with the Academy of Science where he mingled with the greatest intellectuals of his day. At age 15, he was writing books and developing theorems that left his professors shaking their heads. As a teenager, he invented history’s first calculating machine, and other discoveries led to the invention of the barometer, the vacuum pump, the air compressor, the syringe, and the hydraulic press. But as a young man, Pascal had trouble with the spiritual equations of life, and he soon grew disillusioned with the pleasures of his fashionable society. One night he picked up a Bible and turned to John 17. As he began reading, verse 3 blazed out like a spark and seemed to set the room on fire—“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” His soul was instantly converted to Jesus Christ, and taking pen and parchment, he began quickly writing snatches of his thoughts: In the year of Grace, 1654 On Monday, 23d of November Fire God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, not of the philosophers and scholars. Certitude. Certitude, Feeling. Joy. Peace. Joy, joy, joy, tears of joy. This is eternal life, that they may know You, the Only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. Jesus Christ. Let me never be separated from Him.Pascal’s life was changed forever, and he became a powerful Christian thinker and writer. The scrap of parchment was found after his death sewed into the lining of his coat, that it might ever be close to his heart. QUESTION - What is the key to truly knowing God? ANSWER - Within all of us there exists a strong desire to be known and to know others. The most important Person to know is our Creator. In fact, Jesus taught that eternal life is not just a span of time; it is a relationship: “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3). The key to truly knowing God is found in what God has revealed about Himself in the Bible. He wants to be known (see Acts 17:27). The problem is our sinfulness. We are all sinful (Romans 3), and we fall short of the standard of holiness required to commune with God. We have “exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles” (Romans 1:23). So, in order to truly know God, we must first acknowledge our sin and repent of it (see Acts 3:19). In turning from sin, we must turn to Jesus Christ, the only Savior from sin. In Jesus alone is salvation (Acts 4:12). We receive Jesus by faith: “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12, NKJV). Jesus’ death and resurrection provided for the forgiveness of our sin, and He alone is the way to a personal knowledge of God: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through Me” (John 14:6, NKJV). Jesus revealed to us who God is, so in knowing God we must look to Jesus: “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. . . . Believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me” (John 14:9–10; cf. John 17:6). Every work that Jesus did was in obedience to the Father in heaven (John 5:19). Every word Jesus spoke was straight from the Father (John 12:49). To know God, we must know Jesus. Another key ingredient in truly knowing God is reading the Bible, God’s Word. In the Bible we have God’s revelation of His character, His promises, and His will. It is through the Bible that we know that God is “a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15). It is through the Bible that we know that God is “mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes” (Deuteronomy 10:17). It is through the Bible that we know that God is “the King eternal, immortal, invisible,” worthy of “honor and glory for ever and ever” (1 Timothy 1:17). Truly knowing God also comes through our commitment to obey what we read in the Scriptures. We were saved unto good works (Ephesians 2:10), and, as we obey the Lord, we become part of God’s plan of continuing to reveal Himself to the world. We are salt and light on this earth (Matthew 5:13–14), designed to bring God’s flavor to the world and to serve as a shining light in the midst of darkness. Jesus Himself placed the greatest importance on loving God with all we are and loving our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37–40). These are the keys to truly knowing God. Of course, those who know God will also be committed to prayer, fellowship with other believers, sincere worship, and walking in the Spirit. Jesus taught His disciples about the Holy Spirit, contrasting the world’s ignorance of Him with the disciples’ knowledge: “The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:17). It is through the Spirit of God that we have “adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Romans 8:15–16). Through Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit, our lives can be filled with God, and we can experience the joy of truly knowing Him. Related Resource: What does it mean to know Jesus? Is Jesus the only way to Heaven? David Reed - (BORROW Jehovah's Witnesses : answered verse by verse PAGE 80) John 17:3“This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.” (NWT) One of the verses most frequently quoted by door-knocking Jehovah’s Witnesses is John 17:3. They use it in two different ways: First, although most translations render the Greek as “to know” God, the Watchtower version says “taking in knowledge.” This enables Witnesses to use the verse in offering listeners a “free home Bible study” in order to take in this so-called knowledge of God. Those who accept the offer are quickly switched from the Bible to one of the many books published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. After that, the persons studying with the Witnesses are “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7, KJV). Jesus Christ himself revealed that he is “the Way and the Truth and the Life,” and that “no one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6, MLB). The “facts” that keep filling Witnesses’ heads never make up for the lack of actually knowing Jesus, the living Truth. It is like the situation of a young fan of a famous movie star who has seen all the start’s movies, read volumes of biographical material, and decorated his walls with the star’s pictures. Yet all of this knowledge can never add up to the sort of relationship enjoyed by the star’s adopted son, who lives in a close relationship with him. Real Christianity involves being adopted by God as his child, and really coming to know him (see Gal. 4:5–9; Rom. 8:14–39). Watchtower-supplied “knowledge” can never equal that. The second way that Jehovah’s Witnesses use John 17:3 is to deny the deity of Christ. They point out that Jesus called the Father “the only true God” and made a distinction between “you, the only true God” and “the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.” Of course, the relationship of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit within the Godhead is a matter that even orthodox Christians can at best “see through a glass, darkly,” while we look forward to going home to be with the Lord and, only then, seeing him “face to face” (1 Cor. 13:12, KJV). But, we can see clearly enough right now to know that the Watchtower Society is twisting John 17:3. If Jesus’ reference to the Father as “the only true God” were meant to exclude the Son from deity, then the same principle of interpretation would have to apply to Jude 4, where Jesus Christ is called “our only Owner and Lord” (NWT, italics added). This would have to exclude the Father from Lordship and Ownership. Yet, Witnesses speak of the Father as “the Lord Jehovah,” even though Jude 4 calls Jesus our “only” Lord. And the Holy Spirit is called “Lord” at 2 Corinthians 3:17. Obviously, then, neither use of the word only is exclusive with reference to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ being called our “only” Lord does not rule out the Lordship of the Father and the Holy Spirit, and the Father’s being called the “only” true God does not exclude the Son and the Holy Spirit from deity. See also the discussions of Genesis 18:1–2; Exodus 3:14; Psalm 110:1; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1; John 20:28; and Revelation 1:7–8. Knowing God —John 17:3 (BORROW Experiencing God day-by-day PAGE 64) Knowing God through experience is radically different than knowing about God from a theology textbook. According to the Bible, you cannot say you know God unless you have experienced Him (Phil. 3:8, 10). Biblical knowledge always involves experience. You may become discouraged because the truths you read about in the Bible are much richer than the reality of your own experience. If you have not experienced God's power at work in and through your life, do not settle for a secondhand knowledge of God's power, rejoicing in what He has done in others. Jesus' prayer was that you would come to know God and His presence in your life and experience. Don't discount the power of God as described in Scripture simply because you have not experienced it. Bring your experience up to the standard of Scripture, never reduce Scripture to the level of your experience. Don't settle for a head knowledge of God's love. Jesus prayed that you would experience the depth and width and height of His love and that you would enjoy God's full and unending love in the day-to-day experiences of your life. If you sense there are biblical truths that you are not experiencing, keep that truth before you and ask God to bring it into your everyday experience. Ask God if there are any adjustments you need to make in order to receive His promise. Don't give up on the promises of God, stay with them until you are fully experiencing them Life Everlasting Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 17:3–12 “Don’t be afraid of death, Winnie,” said Angus Tuck, “be afraid of the unlived life.” That quote from the book-turned-film Tuck Everlasting is made more interesting by the fact that it comes from a character who can’t die. In the story, the Tuck family has become immortal. Young Jesse Tuck, who falls in love with Winnie, begs her to seek immortality too so they can be together forever. But wise Angus understands that simply enduring forever doesn’t bring fulfillment. Our culture tells us that if we could be healthy, young, and energetic forever, we would be truly happy. But that’s not where our fulfillment is found. Before He went to the cross, Jesus prayed for His disciples and for future believers. He said, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Our fulfillment in life comes from a relationship with God through faith in Jesus. He’s our hope for the future and joy for this present day. Where’s your joy and contentment found in this life? In what ways do you exhibit new life in Christ? Jesus, help me take hold of the abundant life that You’ve given to me. Support in Trial - "This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou has sent."—John 17:3 "Praised be the LORD! this is sufficient for me and for eternity." When Dr. Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, came out of the Tower of London, and saw the scaffold on which he was to be beheaded, he took out of his pocket a Greek Testament; and, looking up to heaven, he exclaimed: "Now, O LORD, direct me to some passage which may support me through this awful scene." He opened the book, and his eye glanced on the text, "This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent." He instantly closed the book, and said: "Praised be the LORD! this is sufficient for me and for eternity." John 17:4 “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. glorified: John 12:28 13:31,32 14:13 accomplished: John 4:34 5:36 9:3 14:31 15:10 John 19:30 Ac 20:24 2Ti 4:7 Related Passages: John 5:36+ “But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish (teleioo) –the very works that I do–testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me. John 19:30+ Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished (teleo in perfect tense = tetelestai)!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE FOR MEN WAS MISSION POSSIBLE FOR JESUS I glorified (doxazo - aorist tense) You on the earth (ge), - How did the Son glorify His Father on the earth (of course referring to His incarnation)? Jesus gave a proper opinion (meaning of "glorify") regarding the Father to the Jews who saw Jesus works and heard His words. Both pointed to His divine origin and should have given the Jews a "proper opinion" of His Father. In John 4:34+ "Jesus said to (HIS DISCIPLES), “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish (teleioo) His work." One wonders if the disciples remembered Jesus' earlier teaching as they listen to Him pray to His Father acknowledging that in this hour He is about to finish His work as the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world (Jn 1:29+). Brian Bell - I have glorified you on the earth - by His doctrine; miracles; sufferings; & death to come Having accomplished (teleioo - finished) the work (ergon) which You have given Me to do (poieo) - The Greek literally reads “the work that you gave to me so that (hina term of purpose) I may do it.” Having accomplished (teleioo - finished) is past tense which speaks of His atoning work on the Cross as so certain that it can spoken of as having already been accomplished. It is clearly no coincidence that the verb accomplished (teleioo) is related to the verb Jesus used when He cried out from Cross "It is finished!" (Jn 19:30+ - teleo in perfect tense = tetelestai), for this cry marked the fulfillment of His Mission. Recall that when the disciples were in Samaria with Jesus and were discussing food, Jesus responded that "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish (teleioo - finish) His work (redemption was the Father's work)." (Jn 4:34+) THOUGHT - There is a similar use of glorified in the past tense (as if it were already accomplished) when Paul speaks of believers writing "whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified." Glorified (doxazo - aorist tense) is past tense, which describes our glorification as a certain, accomplished event! Most of us do not feel very glorified yet, and of course, we are not yet glorified in the sense of celestial glory, but that future glorification of our bodies is such a FAIT ACCOMPLI that Paul speaks of it in the past tense. That is how certain our salvation (see the Three Tenses of Salvation) is beloved! See What is glorification of believers? Dear disciple, when you lay down on your deathbed and prepare to take your last breath, will you be able to confidently declare "I have accomplished the work which the Father has given me to do?" You may be asking "What work?" I'm glad you asked. In Ephesians 2:10+ Paul declared that all believers (Eph 2:8-9+) are "His (THE FATHER'S) workmanship (poiema), created in Christ Jesus for (HERE IS OUR PRESENT PURPOSE) good works, which God prepared beforehand so that (WHAT IS PURPOSE OF THESE "PREPARED" WORKS?) we would walk (live, carry out) in them." For more discussion of this important topic (WHY? because of the Bema Seat Judgment of Believers - 2Co 5:10+) see Believers Are God's Masterpiece, His Poiema and Redeem the Time (the "time of your life" - cf Jas 4:14+). Bob Utley sums up Jesus' work - The work was threefold: (1) revelation of the Father (cf. Jn 1:14, 18); (2) redemption of fallen mankind (cf. Mark 10:45; 2 Cor. 5:21); and (3) an example of true humanity (cf. Jn 13:31; 1 Pet. 2:21). Also, Jesus’ work of intercession continues (cf. 1 John 2:1).
João 17
Morgan - Neither for these only do I pray.—John 17.20 These are the most comforting words for us in this great prayer of our Lord because they bring us into its interest and intercession. We are among the number of those who have believed on Him through the apostolic word, and so His requests were all on our behalf also. This outlook of the Master is very suggestive. There He was, after three and a half years of public ministry, approaching an end which seemed to be that of defeat. He was surrounded by a few loving men, who nevertheless would soon all be scattered for very fear. The outlook was very dark to all but the Lord. He also saw the darkness, and understood it better than any other. Yet He saw through it, saw the light clearly shining down the coming age; saw these very men, gathered after their scattering, going forth publishing the Word; saw the sacramental hosts of souls believing that Word, and for these He prayed. And His prayer for all of us was as His prayer for those men who were about Him. He knew their weakness, and how they would fail. He knows our weakness, and all about our failures. He prayed for them. He prays for us. He knew His intercession for them would prevail. He knows His inter-cession for us will prevail. Then let us rest in Him, with the rest of loving obedience and of surest confidence. (BORROW Life Applications from Every Chapter in the Bible) Adrian Rogers - John 17:20 You may say, "Sure, Peter was prayed for, and James and Matthew and the rest of them. But Jesus never prayed for me like that." Friend, I ask you to read again the verse from Jesus' high priestly prayer that appears at the top of this page—the same prayer in which He prayed that His disciples would be kept safe eternally in the arms of their heavenly Father. Just write your name down, because He might as well have put your name there. His prayer for your security is a prayer that transcends the centuries with a delayed detonation. Jesus has prayed for you to live with Him forever. When Friends Fail You I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word. — John 17:20 Today's Scripture : Job 42 With friends like his, Job didn’t need enemies. His three would-be comforters failed miserably in their efforts to ease his pain. Instead of bringing sympathy, they delivered accusations that only compounded his anguish. Yet Job was able to emerge triumphantly from his cave of pain and confusion. A significant step toward that victory was his willingness to pray for the very friends who had criticized and accused him. God honored his prayers, and Job had the delight of seeing his friends turn to God for forgiveness (Job 42:7-10). Jesus also prayed for His friends (John 17:6-19), despite their frequent failings. With the agony of the cross approaching, Jesus prayed for Peter even though He knew Peter would deny Him within hours (Luke 22:31-34). Jesus prayed for you and me too (John 17:20-26). His work of prayer, which began before His death and resurrection, continues to this day. Although we sometimes act more like His enemies than His friends, Jesus is in the Father’s presence interceding for us (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). Putting It Into Practice Take a few minutes right now to pray for someone. To learn how to pray, read Jesus' Blueprint For Prayer To love more, pray more. When Friends Fail You I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word. — John 17:20 Today's Scripture : Job 42 With friends like his, Job didn’t need enemies. His three would-be comforters failed miserably in their efforts to ease his pain. Instead of bringing sympathy, they delivered accusations that only compounded his anguish. Yet Job was able to emerge triumphantly from his cave of pain and confusion. A significant step toward that victory was his willingness to pray for the very friends who had criticized and accused him. God honored his prayers, and Job had the delight of seeing his friends turn to God for forgiveness (Job 42:7-10). Jesus also prayed for His friends (John 17:6-19), despite their frequent failings. With the agony of the cross approaching, Jesus prayed for Peter even though He knew Peter would deny Him within hours (Luke 22:31-34). Jesus prayed for you and me too (John 17:20-26). His work of prayer, which began before His death and resurrection, continues to this day. Although we sometimes act more like His enemies than His friends, Jesus is in the Father’s presence interceding for us (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). Putting It Into Practice Take a few minutes right now to pray for someone. To learn how to pray, read Jesus' Blueprint For Prayer To love more, pray more. John 17:21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. KJV John 17:21 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. BGT John 17:21 ἵνα πάντες ἓν ὦσιν, καθὼς σύ, πάτερ, ἐν ἐμοὶ κἀγὼ ἐν σοί, ἵνα καὶ αὐτοὶ ἐν ἡμῖν ὦσιν, ἵνα ὁ κόσμος πιστεύῃ ὅτι σύ με ἀπέστειλας. NET John 17:21 that they will all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. I pray that they will be in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me. CSB John 17:21 May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us, so the world may believe You sent Me. ESV John 17:21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. NIV John 17:21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. NLT John 17:21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one-- as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. that they may all be one: John 17:11,22,23 10:16 Jer 32:39 Eze 37:16-19,22-25 Zep 3:9 Zec 14:9 Ac 2:46 4:32 Ro 12:5 1Co 1:10 12:12,25-27 Ga 3:28 Eph 4:1-6 Php 1:27 Php 2:1-5 Col 3:11-14 1Pe 3:8,9 even as You: John 5:23 10:30,38 14:9-11 Php 2:6 1Jn 5:7 that the world may believe: John 13:35 (By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another) Psalms 133:1+ A Song of Ascents, of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! Romans 12:4-5 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Ephesians 4:1-6+ Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity (INDICATES THAT IT IS EXISTING) of the Spirit (INDICATES SOURCE OF THE UNITY) in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all Who is over all and through all and in all. Philippians 1:27 (DESCRIPTION OF A UNIFIED BODY) Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; Philippians 2:1-5 (EXCELLENT DESCRIPTION OF MARKS OF UNITY) Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete (FIRST MARK) by being of the same mind, (SECOND MARK) maintaining the same love, (THIRD MARK) united in spirit ("ONE-SOULED"), (FOURTH MARK) intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, (FOR MORE DISCUSSION OF THESE 4 MARKS OF UNITY SEE The MacArthur New Testament Commentary) Colossians 3:11-14 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. 12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 1 Timothy 2:4+ (GOD) Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. JESUS PRAYER FOR UNITY That they may all be one ("one with each other") - Jesus is praying for spiritual unity among all who believe in Him. See Php 2:1-5 above for marks of spiritual unity. Note that unity is mentioned by Jesus 3 times in this last section (Jn 17:21, 22, 23) emphasizing how important unity was to the mission of the disciples and the church. David