Jn 17:20-26
That they may be one: The priestly prayer of Jesus (Jn 17:1-26) is centered on the disciples whom he calls his very own—the Father’s gift to him. Setting his eyes on the future, Jesus also prays for those who will come to faith through his disciples’ word.
That they may be one: The priestly prayer of Jesus (Jn 17:1-26) is centered on the disciples whom he calls his very own—the Father’s gift to him. Setting his eyes on the future, Jesus also prays for those who will come to faith through his disciples’ word.
Of the evangelists, it is Luke who emphasizes the chain of tradition from Jesus to the disciples and to the future believers. In the Acts of the Apostles, Luke records the growth of the Church. Yet even in John, it is clear that the disciples who are with Jesus are commissioned to preach to peoples and lead them to faith. The Paraclete bears witness to Jesus not in a purely spiritual way but by inspiring the disciples to do the witnessing.
Mention of “other disciples” echoes the earlier declaration of Jesus, the Good Shepherd: “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd” (Jn 10:16). The “voice” of the shepherd is his “word” which the disciples proclaim. It is a dynamic force that is heard by the sheep of Jesus’ flock (10:3) and gives them spirit and life (6:63).