This is Spoken Gospel.

We’re dedicated to seeing
Jesus in all of scripture.

In each episode, we see what’s
happening in a Biblical text

and how it sheds light
on Jesus and his gospel.

Let’s jump in.

Jesus shares a last
meal with his disciples.

He has prepared them for his departure
with the promise of the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit will fill them and empower
them to continue Jesus’ ministry.

After teaching it, he prays
this same truth over them.

Just like the disciples on that night, we
hear in John 17 Jesus’ prayer over us.

It’s an intimate look at how
God thinks of his mission

and our role in continuing
what Jesus started.

What’s striking in this moment is that
Jesus claims to have never acted alone.

Over and over, Jesus reminds
God of what he had given him.

In fact, Jesus says he
received everything from God.

His authority, his eternal life, his words, and
even his disciples were all gifts from God.

Often, we think of Jesus as
a lone actor on God’s behalf.

But Jesus says his every word and action
was entirely dependent on the Father and

Spirit. Jesus’ ministry was successful
because he was one with them.

But the disciples are scared.

How can they endure coming
hardships without Jesus,

and the unity between God and
Spirit himself that he just described?

What Jesus prays for
them then is stunning.

He prays that they would be one with God
and the Holy Spirit in the same way he is.

Jesus prays as if his disciples are
indistinguishable from himself.

The disciples don’t need God
to save them from the world—

they need him to make
them Jesus in the world.

Jesus places on his followers the
same mantle that was placed on him.

Just as he is “not of the world,” so he declares
that his disciples are separate from  the world, too.

Just as Jesus was filled and propelled by
the Holy Spirit to do his work, so the disciples

will be filled and propelled by the same
Spirit to continue that work.

Just as God sent Jesus into the world, so
now Jesus sends his disciples into the world.

Jesus’ told his disciples that it was better
that he left so that the Holy Spirit would come.

John 17 tells us why.

When Jesus dies, he takes the oneness
he had with God and the Spirit and
gives it to all who depend on him.

If we depend on God for
everything, we will be one with him.

If we depend on God for our authority
and wisdom about right and wrong,

we will be one with the creator
of everything and everyone.

If we depend on God for our life, the Holy
Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead unites
us with the Author of eternal life.

If we depend on God for our words, the Word
made flesh becomes one with our flesh, and

we join him in his redemption
of the world, healing the sick,

and making famous the God
who lived, died and rose again.

May the Holy Spirit open your eyes to see the God
who is one with Jesus and all who believe in him.

And may you Jesus as the one who makes
all this possible through his life, death,

and resurrection and prays
you would know it to be true.