Read John 17:20-26
"Neither pray
I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their
word…." John
Not only does Jesus pray for His disciples who traveled with Him and heard His words and teaching; He prays for those who will (in the future) come to believe on Him through the word of these first disciples and believers. Jesus prays that those who will yet come to believe through the preaching and teaching of God's Word also be one in Him and, so also, one with each other. John also speaks of this in his first epistle when he writes: "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3). Through the hearing of God's Word, God graciously calls His elect to faith in His Son as Savior and Redeemer and grants them the forgiveness which Christ won for them upon the cross, thus bringing them into fellowship with Him, with Christ Jesus His Son, and with all other believers of all time who trust in Jesus Christ alone for their salvation. Jesus even gives to them of the glory which He received from the Father so that those who trust in Jesus are changed into His image and carry on the work which Jesus started by suffering and dying for the sins of the world (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:18; 5:15-17; Romans 8:29; Ephesians 4:11-16, 20-24; Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:8). In fact, the closer we walk with our Lord Jesus by continuing in His Word and holding fast to Him by faith, the closer and more perfect in one we become with Christ and all others who trust in Him. Many seek unity among Christians and churches without regard for the doctrine of God's Word. True unity, on the other hand, is given us as we hear and believe all that God's Word teaches!
Jesus prays that all whom the Father has given Him may one day be with Him in heaven and behold Jesus' glory which the Father has given Him, for the Father loved the Son even before the creation of the world. Thus Jesus prays for our eternal salvation and glorification with Him in heaven. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2).
Jesus concludes His prayer with some remarkable words to consider: "O righteous Father, the world hath not known Thee: but I have known Thee, and these have known that Thou hast sent Me. And I have declared unto them Thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them." The world of humanity has not known God the Father. Contrary to what many think, and even though people may speak of God and use His name, people do not know God (cf. Romans 3:10ff.). But Jesus knows God the Father, and His disciples know that Jesus was sent into the world by the Father to be our Savior. Jesus has and continues to declare the Father's name among us that we too might know Him and His great love for us which is ours in His Son, Christ Jesus!
O Dear Lord Jesus, keep us trusting in You and Your cross for the forgiveness of our sins and draw us ever closer to You that we may be one with You, the Father, and with all who believe on Your holy name. Amen.