Jesus Christ Reveals the Name of God (3): Comments on John 17:6-11
This exegetical article examines John 17:6-11 to demonstrate how Christ's prayer for the preservation of His church reveals the triune God's work in maintaining believers. The author emphasizes that the Father's preservation of the church through His name, accomplished by the Son's intercession and the Holy Spirit's indwelling, is the central petition of Christ's high priestly prayer and calls the church to confessional unity and faithfulness to God's Word.
Previous article in this series, September 15, 2013, p. 492. The preservation of the church is the work of the triune God What does Jesus ask of the Father? In John 17:9 He begins to pray for His people, and in verse 11 comes the central point. "Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are." That is the one concrete request in this text. Christ prays for the preservation of His church during the time in which He will not be with them...
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org