Gospel Text

John 17:6-19

 

 

SERMON TEXT

5/12/24 – John 17:6-19

Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year B, Faith Lutheran Church

Pastor Shaun O’Reilly

 

What I love is that

When Jesus prayed for you, it was classic Jesus. 

Embodied as the very gift that frees us,

And with these words to say to God about you. 

 

When Jesus prayed for you, it was close to the end of his life, 

It was close to the end of his strife and the weight he carried, 

His friends gathered round the table, their feet washed clean,

Jesus praying for them, but it means something to the friends of Jesus today too. Jesus prayed for you.

 

He said, “God, O God” you know these ones belong 

I’ve shared the story, I’ve sung the song

They know the tune and melody,

It carries them as they carry

This divine word in their hearts. 

Let them never be apart from you and me O God. 

 

When Jesus prayed for you — he mentioned all that he had.

He said, “give it to them now dad! 

Purpose, Joy, and Truth, give to them

So they can use 

the same materials that have been your body in the world

Now unfurl, a colorful whirl

All personality and promise, Yes Amen,

All you’ve given to me, give to them. To you. When Jesus prayed for you.

 

When Jesus prayed for you, there was nothing you or I could do,

I’m talking long ago, that somehow he knows we need to hear it

Today, hear him say, the words of love, protection, abiding, direction.

And believe! This echo you hear, in it, you peer into intimate conversation 

The son’s dedication in asking — “Don’t let this fail

God, they are frail, but build them up, make them strong,

I’m leaving soon but they belong to us, 

Give them faith enough to believe it. 

 

When Jesus prayed for you, no one else said a thing.

Spoken Word of Jesus Christ RINGS out 

While everything else waits 

It was like it was in the beginning, God creates, 

And it’s a spoken word that brings out life, all existence bending an ear

Waiting to hear, “what will they make, what will God say?”

 

It could be a judgement. It could be the end.

Jesus could tell the truth, let’s not pretend, he could ask God 

why there are no true friends To the Word made flesh, 

why will they abandon and none of these twelve

Still dwell with him at his end? 

He could have prayed judgement then.

 

 

Instead, what you love is that

When Jesus prayed for you, it was classic Jesus. 

Embodied as the very gift that frees us,

it was not judgement or the end

It was still the beginning, his faulty friends he defends with his very life and breath

And these, like last wishes, he pours out, 

Stick with Them. I never left them, Don’t leave them now. 

Give to them! Give them protection, give them each other,

Bind them together, sisters and brothers.

We are God, and we give. 

And when we get nothing back, 

We are still not at a lack of mercy,

We draw from a deep well,

And so let’s water the sheep 

I pray that You keep them all, in the promise make a store

For all these faulty friends of mine and yours. 

Keep these ones I love, Jesus said. When Jesus prayed for you.

 

There’s just not much more of value I can add, 

When in scripture we hear Jesus talk to his dad about you and me.

I’m inviting you, you see, to listen and believe, 

Or just listen and receive when Jesus prayed for you. 

 

Two thousand years away, seven thousand miles away,

A night in Jerusalem, those first disciples near him, 

Jesus, in breath and spirit, praying where they could hear it. 

He could have prayed for power or healing, 

Or that angels come reeling and destroy everything against God’s command, 

But it reads, it reads, John 17 reads, like he took their hands and said, 

“I’m going to pray for you.”

 

And When Jesus prayed for you, it was classic Jesus. 

Embodied as the very gift that frees us,

never one to puff up strength

Or to preach at length that everyone should turn or burn,

It’s like the expression of God yearns to care for the needy, so Jesus says, somewhat sweetly,

Remind them God, Hold them. Give complete joy. They belong. Soak them in truth. Make them wholly good.

 

And I think God understood

Because I look at you now, and believe somehow we are changed because

Jesus prayed for you. 

 

And I want everyone to know, and to the world could we show,

That when Jesus prayed for us it was classic Jesus. 

The voice and blessing of the very gift that frees us

Even now to see a world in need and in love, draw near it.

In the way of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.