When we talk about the Lord's prayer, we usually think about the prayer which I used to recite in school
Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed by thy name
Thy kingdom come etc.
I am going to suggest that this could be more accurately described as the Disciples Prayer. Jesus provided this as a model prayer for his followers to use. He introduced the prayer with the words, "Pray then like this." (Matthew 6:9 ESV] He had already explained how not to pray in the previous verses - not like the hypocrites for show and ostentation, or with loads of meaningless phrases. So he then went on to provide a model for the disciples to use. Incidentally, I don't think he intended it to be repeated meaninglessly as so often happened when I was at school.
However, in John chapter 17 we are privileged to have a whole chapter devoted to a single prayer which Jesus made to His Father - at a very critical time. He was about to be arrested, given a mockery of a trial and then executed by crucifixion. His disciples were grieving about the impending loss that they would experience. This is truly the Lord's Prayer. It is the text of an intimate prayer between the Son and the Father. I gives us a wonderful insight into the heart of Jesus, the Son of God.
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed; "Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you." [John 17:1 NIV]
When I was a teenager in Bethany Hall, Stevenston I was present at a week of Bible Teaching from a Godly man by the name of William Trew from Cardiff. I have a recollection of being deeply impressed as I was introduced to this deeply spiritual prayer. I believe that I took copious notes but only a few brief headings in an old Bible survive to the present day. But this Bible teaching did make an impact on me and I hesitate to tackle this chapter because I am not sure that I can do it justice. It is full of sublime truths and insights.
For today's Day Share, I wish to set this prayer in its context in John's Gospel. The author of the fourth Gospel provides some helpful signposts if we look carefully enough. At the beginning of chapter 13, there is a verse which provides a clue to subsequent events
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father etc. [John13:1 ESV] The next five chapters need to be interpreted in the light of this verse.
At the end of chapter 14, we find another one of these signposts when Jesus tells his disciples, " Come now; let us leave" (John 14:31 NIV]. They were leaving the privacy of the upper room where the events and teaching of chapters 13 and 14 had taken place. This private ministry of the Lord Jesus to his own disciples began with the feet washing in the first 12 verses of chapter 13. Jesus then begins his intimate revelation of the fact that he was about to leave them and he prepares them for the significant change which would come in their lives when they no longer enjoyed his physical presence with them. So this ends at the end of chapter 14 and they make their way towards the momentous events beginning in chapter 18 with the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. So chapters 15 and 16 of John's Gospel provide us with the continuation of Jesus private teaching for the benefit of his disciples. Were they on the move as he explained to them about the coming persecution, the coming of the Holy Spirit and the new relationship they would have with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit after his death and resurrection? As chapter 15 begins with a reference to a vine, it may be that they were passing a vineyard at this time. Some commentators have suggested that this teaching may have taken place in the temple courtyard.
We cannot be certain of the precise location of Jesus and his disciples when he was giving this teaching. I find it interesting that the private session did not end when they left the upper room. Jesus had so much to say to them and there was so little time for them to hear his last words before the momentous sequence of events from chapter 18 onwards.
Notice that Jesus ended his private teaching session on a positive note. See verse 33 of chapter 16. He summarises his private teaching in one sentence : "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. " [John 16:33 NIV] This chimes with his earlier words to them which are recorded at the beginning of chapter 14 - "Do not let your hearts continue to be troubled." [John 14:1] Notice that he reminds them that there will be trouble in the world. He does not give them false, empty promises of prosperity and immunity from trouble. But he assures them that they may experience peace in the midst of trouble - "in Him." He encourages them to "take heart" because he has overcome the world." In fact, Calvary lay ahead of him but Jesus was sure of the outcome of this major conflict.
That is the last word of teaching which John records and chapter 17 begins with the words,
"After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed." This is the true Lord's prayer which we hope to study in subsequent Day Shares. This is the most detailed prayer of Jesus which we have on record. I feel that we are on holy ground - we should treat this prayer with utmost reverence - as it were, we should remove our sandals from our feet,
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