Christ's High Priestly Prayer

Jesus closes his high priestly prayer by asking for something he wants for us personally: that we would be with him and see his glory. In this message from John 17:24–26, we reach the end of the prayer and the heart of the Savior who prayed it.

The message starts with the familiar “wish you were here” text, and with the ache of wanting to share something wonderful with a loved one who is no longer here to see it. Then it turns to what Christ himself longs for, which is to have his people with him in glory.

Along the way we explore:

• Why Jesus’ desire as our mediator is the same as the Father’s, and why his prayer will be answered
• What Jesus means by “my glory,” the eternal glory he shared with the Father before the world existed
• How the Son has made the Father’s name and love known, and how that love comes to dwell in believers
• Why nothing in this life can break the bond between Christ and his people
• How the hope of heaven comes down to being with Christ, seeing him as he is, and being made like him

We finish with the assurance that Christ lives to intercede for us and will not rest until we are with him in glory.

Jesus’ last prayer before the cross includes a request for his people to be one. In this message from John 17:20–23, we look at what that unity means and why it matters so much.

We start with the 2004 U.S. Olympic basketball team. It was full of talent, but it came home with a bronze medal because it lacked chemistry. Christ’s prayer asks for far more than a team that works well together.

Along the way we cover:

• How the unity of believers is meant to reflect the oneness of the Father and the Son
• What it means to be united to Christ by faith, and why that union is the foundation of the church’s unity
• Why a visible, tangible love among Christians gives the gospel its credibility to a watching world
• How the love of God, shown in Christ’s willing sacrifice, underlies it all

For this podcast episode, read John 17:20–23 ahead of time, then listen.

In this episode of Christ’s High Priestly Prayer, Dr. Craig Troxel, Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Seminary California, turns to John 17:17-19, where Jesus prays, “Sanctify them in the truth. Your word is truth.”

What does it mean to be “holy”? Dr. Troxel begins with the Old Testament idea of things set apart for sacred use, then shows how Jesus consecrates himself as priest and sacrifice for the one mission the Father gave him: to rescue sinners. He then turns to the disciples, who are sent into a hostile world on the same kind of mission, not to withdraw from it but to shine as salt and light.

How does God equip his people for that calling? Through his word. This message explores the sufficiency of Scripture, the difference between being in the world and having the world get into us, and the comfort of knowing that the Savior who sanctifies us daily will one day bring us home to a world that is holy to the Lord.

Scripture: John 17:17-19 | Also referenced: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Corinthians 6:11, 2 Corinthians 8:9

"Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." When Jesus taught His disciples to pray these words, He wasn't just giving them a formula—He was actively modeling it for them.

In this powerful continuation of our series exploring John 17, Dr. A. Craig Troxel unpacks verses 11–16, focusing on Christ’s urgent petition to the Father: "Keep them." What does it actually mean to be kept by God? Drawing upon rich Old Testament context, Dr. Troxel reveals how God’s keeping is twofold—He acts as a shield to protect us from external dangers, and as a gardener who preserves and nurtures our inner spiritual vitality.

Christ didn't pray for His followers to be removed from the world. He prayed for them to be kept in it, equipped with an unshakable, unquenchable joy that defies the hostility of the surrounding culture. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the spiritual dangers within or the pressures of a secular world without, this message is a profound reminder that you are held fast by a Savior who will never let you go.

Key Highlights:

• The Two-Fold Nature of Keeping: How God both defends you from outward harm and preserves your inward faith.

• Joy in the Trenches: Why Christ spoke His prayer out loud, intending to give His followers a foretaste of His divine joy amidst earthly tribulation.

• Salt and Light: Understanding why Jesus explicitly asked the Father not to take His disciples out of the world.

• The Greater Intercessor: How Christ’s constant advocacy at the right hand of God silences the accusations of the enemy.

(Delivered at Westminster Seminary California - Watch the full video here)

Have you ever felt like God is withholding something from you? In moments of weakness or frustration, it's easy to wonder if the Father's grace has a limit.

In this continuation of our series on Christ’s High Priestly Prayer, we turn to John 17:6-10. Dr. A. Craig Troxel leads us into the intimate, intercessory heart of Jesus as He prays not for the world, but specifically for those the Father has given Him. Through a deeply encouraging exposition, Dr. Troxel reveals how the staggering love shared between the Father and the Son is poured directly into the lives of believers.

Far from a stingy God, we see a Savior who has given us His Name, His Word, and ultimately, His very self. If you've ever struggled with spiritual doubt, fear of failure, or feeling abandoned, this message offers a powerful reminder: because you belong to Christ, you have inherited a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

What You'll Discover:

• The Power of the Name: What it truly means that Jesus "manifested God's name" to the disciples.

• Divine Ownership: Why Jesus specifically prays for those given to Him by the Father, and the security found in belonging to Him.

• Glory in the Weak: The incredible reality that Jesus finds His glory in frail, failing disciples who simply believe His Word.

• The Ultimate Inheritance: A reflection on the truth that in Christ, God has not withheld a single spiritual blessing from you.

(Message delivered at Westminster Seminary California - Watch the full video here)

What comes to mind when you think of the word "glory"? In this episode, we feature a profound message from Dr. A. Craig Troxel, Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary California. Diving into the opening verses of John 17, Dr. Troxel unwraps the depths of Jesus’s High Priestly Prayer on the eve of His crucifixion.

With his trademark pastoral warmth and theological precision, Dr. Troxel explores the magnificent paradox of the cross: how an instrument of ultimate humiliation and shame was transformed into the highest exaltation of God's love, power, and redemptive plan. Listen in as he breaks down what it truly means to know the living God, the exact nature of eternal life, and how the "hour" of Christ's deepest suffering became the pinnacle of His divine glory.

In this episode, Dr. Troxel discusses:

• The striking contrast between the world's definition of glory and Christ's supreme glory in humiliation.

• An exposition of John 17:1-5 and the impending "hour" Jesus speaks of.

• The unified will, agreement, and eternal fellowship between God the Father and God the Son.

• How the "foolishness" of the cross serves as the ultimate power of God for the forgiveness of sins.

(Based on a message delivered at Westminster Seminary California - Watch the original video here)