²⁰ “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word…”

Fourth of July is the day the United States celebrates as Independence Day, commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This is the most hallowed of all holidays for the US. But for Christians, the death of Christ is the most hallowed commemorations, enshrined in the Lord’s Supper. Yet at the core of the death of Christ was His humble attitude toward the Father. Paul said, “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8). Christians celebrate this as a day, not of independence, but a day of dependency. Jesus Christ broke the debt of cancelled sin and set us free to come back under the authority of God. He showed the way, He made the way, He is the way back to the Father.

So His prayer for His disciples and for us who believe through their witness is all part of the humbleness of Christ. We actually see Jesus in Scripture praying at other times as well, though we do not always know what He was praying for or about. At Lazarus’ tomb, Jesus prayed for the disciples’ faith (John 11:41-41). Another time, after sending the crowds away and the disciples into the stormy night, He had gone up to a mountain to pray (Matt 14:23). Even the dullest of minds conjectures that He may have been praying for the disciples’ faith. The story concludes with Jesus chastising them, “Oh you of little faith. Why did you doubt?” (Matt 14:31).

In Mark 3:12, we find Jesus praying through the entire night. Many have suggested He may have been consulting with the Father about the choice of His disciples, for the next day He named the twelve. Concerning Peter, Luke records Jesus saying, “I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (Lk 22:32). These are the kinds of things Jesus prayed for. And I would suggest He still prays like that. The Scripture says He intercedes for us (Romans 8:34) and He advocates for us (1 John 2:1). His Spirit intercedes for us, on our behalf, and in fact, prays for us when we don’t know how to pray (Rom 8:26-27).

Finally, in the verse (John 17:20), Jesus had in mind all believers of all time. For the only way we would know for sure the teachings of Jesus was through the witness of the men in the Upper Room. We, today, are among those who “believe through their word.” Jesus did not pray for so-called “Christendom,” those with an adherence to Christian tradition, but for those who believe. His Upper Room prayer is for you and for me, just as much as for His disciples.

Lord, thank You for having me in mind 2,000 years ago in the Upper Room.