The “High Priestly Prayer” comes at a time of major transition!  In just a day or two He would meet with his disciples in the Upper Room for the Last Supper, then go to the garden where he would be arrested.  Trial and death would soon come.  Jesus had been talking to his disciples about this change, but they were not getting it.  They were confused, uncertain, and in denial.  Yet in just a short while they were to experience suffering, as they never dreamed they would.  Their leader would be gone.  They would be suspected.  And their future unclear.

So Jesus offers this prayer on behalf of his disciples.  Whether these are the exact words or not is highly doubted.  For any of them to remember this prayer word for word thirty years later is not likely.  We have just read part of it, and we are not able to recite it from memory, so its is highly improbable that the disciples could recall it years later.  However, the essence of what this prayer contains is consistent with Christ’s teaching ministry that was well known by his disciples.

The reading in I Peter echoes this suffering theme when it declares:  Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you….Cast all your anxiety on God, because God cares for you.  The times that these two writings refer to are distinctly different.  John is calling our attention to the trauma about to happen when Jesus will be arrested and life as the disciples knew it would be abruptly ended.  Peter  is  writing  about  the post-resurrection events.  The Christian churches are planted and growing but now are experiencing hostility.  But the reality is the same.  For John was writing in an era in which the church was undergoing severe testing.  His message was to remind its readers that God knows and cares.

In fact, John says, Jesus was concerned for the disciples and their future and so prayed for them.  A point of clarification may be needed here.

When we read, I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world…does this mean that Jesus is not concerned for all humanity?  Is this as some would suggest that Jesus is just for some, but not for all?

That may be one reading of the text, but it is not the only one. One could also understand that Jesus is aware of what a difficult position the church has in the world.  The hostility generated against the church and its teachings left it in a vulnerable place.   He wanted them to be assured that they would not be left to survive on their own.  The disciples are not left to their own devices or desires to manage the times ahead.  Their future and the future of the gospel was not dependent upon them or even on the most gifted of humanity.  They were to be one with God and God with them.  They would not be left orphans, but their family would be an eternal family.  They would experience eternal life.  Their future was assured.  This did not mean they would have a trouble free life, as you know most of the apostles did not die a natural death.  Many were martyrs because they took seriously the teachings of Jesus.

When I was reflecting on this passage, I could not escape its application for today.  What a beautiful passage.  What a source of comfort and hope.  The early church was not welcomed with open arms because many could not hear its message.  Today, when the church proclaims and lives faithfully the message of Jesus, it finds itself in the same place as the early church.  It will generate hatred.  It will be misunderstood.  It will be attacked.  Just look at the furor aroused by the divestment overture of the General Assembly.  Whether you agree or not with this overture is not the point.  But a church that takes a stand for what they believe to be justice and equality is soon under attack.  And the Presbyterian Church (USA) is under attack.  (If you want to know more about this issue, there is a workshop in our church this coming Saturday sponsored by the Peacemaking Committee of Presbytery.  It will address this issue – see your bulletin insert.)

This is not the first time our denomination has been criticized and denounced.  Our lead on ordination of women, on civil rights, on abortion, etc., has put us on a perpetual hot seat.  It has driven some away while attracting others (myself included).  To be faithful to the teachings of Jesus is not a recipe for tranquility!

I certainly do not have to tell this congregation that!  You know from your own experience that it is difficult to live and proclaim the open and affirming life we believe we are called to demonstrate.  Painful criticism that has hurt and cut deep between those who were once friends and co-members of this church. 

I am not asking on behalf of the world (Jesus prays) I  am  asking  on  their  behalf.    What   a  humbling awareness to know that Jesus prays for you and for me.  It is powerful!  It is life giving! It is hope inspiring!  And Jesus recognizes, when he says, and now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world…. Protect them in your name.  We are under God’s protection.  Jesus knows full well that that does not equate to a carefree life.  What it does assure is that God’s mission will be accomplished despite our accomplishing it or not.  There may be setbacks, there will be disappointments as the disciples experienced, and there will be suffering.  But we are not left on our own.  There is a force greater than evil.  There is a force greater than injustice.  There is a force greater than prejudice and bigotry.  Cast all your anxieties on God, because God cares for you.

There are some of you who are still hurting from past wounds.  There are some of you who are fearful about the future of this congregation.  There are some of you who anxious regarding your personal future and relationships.  Many of you have spoken how healing this congregation has been for you.  How people have rallied around you.  That is testimony to Jesus’ answered prayer when he prays that we will be one with him and God the creator.  Yes, you can experience God in this place.  I can experience God here.  As we seek to live as Jesus lives, there is a power that is greater than you and I.  There is a source of energy that is greater than the sum of its parts!

While there is great power and comfort in this prayer for the ones Jesus is praying for - that is not to be an end in itself.  Jesus desires that there is a oneness in him, in God, and in those for whom he prays.  But he says that that is only the beginning of things.  His prayer  is  that  God  be  glorified,  that  he  himself  be glorified and that those for whom he prays may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Yes, we have our work cut out for ourselves.  We are to be transformation agents!  As we are faithful, we may help to usher in the reign of God for all.  There are still many who don’t know how much they are loved.  There are still many who are lonely and fearful, not knowing they have someone praying for them, caring for them, and wanting to be one with them.  Let us be Jesus’ answer to his all-embracing request:  Letting the world know that “you can trust God because God Cares for you!