"THE HOUR HAS COME........"

JOHN 17:1

     The seventeenth chapter of The Gospel of John has always intrigued me.  Why? Because it is the most intimate prayer I think Jesus had just before his betrayal and crucifixion. How exactly are we privy to these words of prayer?  It would seem that Jesus would have been as his usual manner be alone when praying this. Who then was near enough to hear this prayer of his and record it for posterity?  It is not only beautifully intimate, all inclusive of what the heart of the gospel is all about, I.e. (he longs for us) and wants us to be with him and the Father.  Also we know these things too....
    We are to know God and his life that is eternal life...
     That Jesus has been glorified and we have brought him glory
      That he prayed for us and not the world, because like him we are no longer of this world, in other words we have come to his kingdom and we know it.
       That through the power of his name, the name (you gave me) has protected them
        He gave us his word, the word that was given to him (Jesus).
        That he sanctified himself and us as well.
         And finally he prayed for all those who would believe through their word that they would be one in complete unity.......

           Now notice this last line...be one in complete unity.....in other words no discord among believers.  and in love also.


       But back to the nature of how we got these words....I suspect that John was within earshot of Jesus when he prayed this incredible prayer of his.  How else did we get it?  It wasn't dictated, recorded or re-transcribed, like the letters of the Jews.  I think it was indelibly etched upon John's heart when he listened and later written down from memory in love for his master and Lord. Peace.