I heard someone ask this gotcha question on You Tube, “If Jesus prayed to God, how could he be God?” This query is answered in the following passage, and the verses that follow predict the operation of a Triune God in keeping us saved.
10 “All things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them.” John 17:10
It appears that God and Jesus are interchangeable, if they both possess the same things.If anything, it’s God the Father and God the Son.
11“I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are.” John 17:11
God has given Jesus his name, and in that name is our safe haven. The name which was given the Son was through him given to us. This prayer locks the door behind us and throws away the key.
12“While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.” John 17:12
Only Judas failed to believe of the twelve disciples, and thus, was the only one of the disciples vulnerable “so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.” This verse assumes the protective cover of God’s name (keeping us, guarding us) will somehow be operational when Jesus is absent. Enter God the Holy Spirit, our Helper.
7 “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” John 16:7
The benefits of this prayer answered are huge, but the question can be surely asked if we’re just talking about the disciples, not us, for it says, “I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours.” (John 17:9) Rest easy.
20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. John 17:20–21
“Therefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:18
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