Jesus prayed, “I made known to them Your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:26)
There’s an expression in film and theatre that when an actor goes from interacting with the other actors on the stage or set and instead turns to address the audience directly – thus involving them in the drama – that he is “breaking the fourth wall.” In this portion, the Apostle John has devoted four chapters to the teaching of Jesus at the Last Supper, culminating in Chapter 17 with what is called His “High Priestly Prayer.” Most of it involves praying for those who were with Him in the upper room as Jesus presents them to the Father. Beginning in verse 20, though, He directs the Father’s attention to all of us – you and me – who come to follow Him in the centuries to come.
So who is this “High Priest” who intercedes for us with God? The Epistle to the Hebrews, beginning in 4:14 and continuing into Chapter 5 lays that out for us: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace in time of need.”
Jesus reveals His heart toward us in His prayer. “I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them” (John 17:26).
The events of that night two thousand years ago may seem very far away from us today and there are times when Jesus may seem very far away from us as well. But He foresaw our weakness and doubts and turned to directly address us – His 21st Century audience – with this prayer. His love and His presence are just as real and just as strong today as they were on the night before His crucifixion. So let us continue to “draw near to the throne of grace.” He saw us then. He sees us now. “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)