"Whosoever Believeth In Him..."
John 3:16
1. Believe
If you don't have a current Bible reading program, I would like to suggest the book of John for a great beginning. I was reading in the book of John and I noticed the word "believe" appeared over and over. I began marking the references in my notebook and finally decided to look them up. "Believe" and "believest" appear three times in the first chapter, and "believed" is in three verses in the second chapter. A form of the word is in five verses in the third chapter and seven verses in the fourth. I searched and printed 85 verses from the book of John with "believe" or another form of the verb. John had an important message to tell and he wanted his readers to believe what he had to say. We can believe what John said because he was a true witness, as we see in the last verses. "This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." (John 21:24-25) Let's look into the book of John and see what he wanted us to believe.
2. Believe The Beginning
John begins his book with the beginning of creation, light. Then he moves to The Light and the man who was sent before Him to "prepare the way", John The Baptist. "The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe." (John 1:7)
"1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light." (John 1:1-8)
I have two thoughts about these verses. First, we need to believe that God is the Creator, as recorded here and in the book of Genesis. We don't pick and choose which of the Bible we want to believe. I believe it all, from the book of Genesis to the end of Revelation, which John also wrote. The second thing I see here is that John the Baptist was sent of God to be a witness for Jesus so that others would believe. We are also to be witnesses for Him so that others might believe. Many people who watch our lives don't read the Bible, but they might see God's light shine through our lives and come to believe.
3. Believe On The Name Of Jesus For Salvation
Many people believe in a god, but they don't believe in The God and His Son, Jesus. I heard a popular talk show host say one day, "It doesn't matter what you believe in, as long as you have faith in what you believe." That was many years ago and I wonder how many people she has led astray with her false doctrine. We are moving on to the next verses in the first chapter as John tells us we must believe on His name. He repeats these thoughts three times more in his writings.
"9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." (John 1:9-14)
"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." (John 20:31)
"And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment." (I John 3:23)
"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." (I John 5:13)
Peter also made it clear in Acts 4:12 that "there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." (Acts 4:10-13)
Yes, the scriptures make it very clear that we must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved.
"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." (Acts 16:31)
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)
4. Nathanael Heard And Believed
The first chapter continues with Jesus calling His disciples. We often remember James and John, and Peter and Andrew as Jesus called these fishermen, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19) (Nathanael may have also been a fisherman with them, because he fished with them in John 21:1-2.) John tells us about Nathanael meeting Jesus and how he believed on Him. People believe because they hear the word. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)
"43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." (John 1:43-51)
Pastor Tripp recently preached a great sermon from the book of John, on "A Call To Come To Jesus." His three text verses were, "Come and see" (John 1:46) "Come unto me and drink" (John 7:37) and "Come and dine." (John 21:12)
5. Many Saw The Miracles And Believed
Have you ever heard someone say, "I'll have to see it to believe it"? In the Old Testament David said, "I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." (Psalm 27:13) He "believed to see". We have not seen Jesus with our natural eyes, but like David, we believe that we will see the Lord. When Jesus walked on the earth, many saw His miracles and believed. As we move to the second chapter of John we read of the first miracle of Jesus and how the disciples saw, and believed. "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him." (John 2:11) Many more believed when they saw the miracles of Jesus. "Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did." (John 2:23) Today some want to see miracles to believe, and there are some who recognize miracles of the Lord and believe on Him. But don't wait around for a sign or miracle to believe on Him. Hear His Word and believe. "(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)" (II Corinthians 5:7)
6. I'm A Whosoever
I made a quick stop at the grocery store and was standing at the meat counter to find something for supper when an elderly gentleman stopped and started talking to me. He was soft spoken and was wearing a mask so I couldn't understand all that he was saying, but I listened. He talked about his wife and his mother, (and I wondered how old she could be because he seemed much older than me), about his trip to the coast, and about what to fix for dinner. I tried to add to the conversation when I could, but I didn't really know why he stopped to talk to me. After several minutes, he said, "I like your shirt" and went on to talk about the Lord. He told me not to worry about all these problems today, that God has it all in control. Michael surprised me one day with a shirt that says, "I'm a whosoever... John 3:16". I don't wear many shirts with messages, but I have received several comments when I wear this shirt. As I was going out the door of the store he said, "Bye. You sure are a nice lady." And I thought about how important it is for us to have a Christian testimony and be like Christ. I am thankful that God gave His Son to die for me. I thank the Lord Jesus that He was willing to leave His home in heaven and be born in a lowly stable and suffer on the cross for my sins. And I am so grateful to the Holy Spirit who spoke to my heart one day when I was a young girl and showed me I was a lost sinner. Are you a whosoever? Do you believe in Jesus and trust Him as your Savior? "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
7. Already Condemned
Many people know John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." I often see signs along the country roads that read, "John 3:16". These are great as a reminder to those who learned the verse, maybe as a child. They are great to create a curiosity that will cause someone to find a Bible and look up the verse, or even google it. John 3:16 is a wonderful verse about salvation and today I want to include a few more verses...
"16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."
It is important for people to read John 3:18 and realize that the time is now. If a person has not believed that Jesus is God's Son and asked Him to save him or her, that person is lost and "condemned already". There is no middle road to eternity. If you believe on Jesus, you are walking in the light and Jesus is your Savior. If you have not put your trust in Jesus, you are walking in darkness and are lost. It is not that you will be lost, but you are already lost. "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." (I John 1:5) The Lord is coming again. Are you ready to meet Him?
8. Everlasting Life
As we come to the end of chapter 3, we read again of the promise of everlasting life. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36) Sometimes I wonder if we really grasp the promise of everlasting life. An old preacher used to put it like this, "If you're born twice, you die once, but if you're born only once, you die twice." For a Christian, death is not the end, but it is the beginning of life in heaven. We will live forever, free from all sin, and pain, and sorrow, and the cares of this world. We will be with Jesus and all our Christian loved ones. We will meet King David, Daniel, Moses, Noah, Ruth and Mary. We can spend eternity praising our Lord who gave His life for us. With all the wickedness in the world today, it will be wonderful to be free from it all throughout eternity. John wants to make sure we understand this promise, and he repeats it several more times.
"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14)
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24)
"Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed." (John 6:27)
"And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:40)
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." (John 6:47)
"And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak." (John 12:50)
9. The Woman At The Well Believed
John 4 gives us the story of the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well. She talked with Jesus and believed. Then she went into the city and told others, "And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman..." (John 4:39) Jesus stayed there two days, "And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world." (John 4:41-42) This shows us the importance of telling others what Christ has done for us. Some people won't go to church. They won't pick up a Bible and start reading. But, they may listen if we tell them what Jesus did for us. When the disciples returned Jesus told them, "...Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest..." Are we working in His fields?
"25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
30 Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.
31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?
34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
40 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
41 And many more believed because of his own word;
42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world." (John 4)
10. The Nobleman Believed
We saw how the woman at the well believed, and as she shared her faith, others believed. We see this again in chapter 4 with a certain nobleman in Cana of Galilee.
"46 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.
47 When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.
48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
49 The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.
50 Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.
51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.
52 Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.
53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house." (John 4:46-53)
Jesus knew that the people wanted to see signs and miracles. "Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe." (We have several more verses in John that talk about those that did not believe and I hope to look at them as we get farther into John.) But, this certain nobleman had faith to believe. He had enough faith to leave his son, who may have been at the point of death, and go to seek Jesus. He had enough faith to ask Jesus to go with him and heal his son. He had enough faith to believe that his son would be healed when Jesus said the word. And he shared his faith and his whole house believed. When we seek Jesus, that is the first step in believing faith. As we put more faith in Him, our faith is increased and we believe more. I have always liked the cry of the father in Mark 9:24, "And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." During these troubled times we may feel overwhelmed, even though we know that God is still in control. We can cry out to the Lord in tears like this desperate father, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." Jesus can help increase our faith to believe.
11. Are You Searching To Fill Your Hunger And Thirst?
So many today are searching for something to fill their hunger. They may try working, riches, sports, drugs, alcohol, or even religion to complete their lives but nothing satisfies. It makes them feel good for a while, but it always leaves them empty. As Jesus taught the Sermon On The Mount He told His followers, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6) Jesus can satisfy your hunger and thirst. The sin of this world grows more and more wicked. We have a warning that judgment is coming. "And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all." (Luke 17:26-27) Do you know what Genesis says about the days of Noah. "And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (Genesis 6:5) We see people today that fit that description. Today we have a choice. We can hunger and thirst after righteousness, or hunger and thirst after the world. Jesus is the only One that can satisfy your hunger and thirst. And if you believe on Him then you have this promise that you will never hunger. "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." (John 6:35) "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink." (John 7:37)
12. His Friends And Family Didn't Believe
We have seen many who believed in Jesus in the book of John, but today we see a small group of people who did not believe in Jesus. It is sad, because these people should have been very close to Him. First, I want to look at Mark 3:20-21, at the friends of Jesus. "And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself." His friends thought He was crazy. Word got back to his family, and a few verses later, they go to check on Jesus.
"31 There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.
32 And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.
33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?
34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother." (Mark 3:31-35)
Jesus had already made it clear that His close relations and neighbors did not believe. "For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country." (John 4:44) Later, as His family was going to the Feast of Tabernacles, "His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. For neither did his brethren believe in him." (John 7:3-5) The brothers of Jesus told Him to do His miracles for His disciples, and make Himself known to the world. So, we see, His friends and His family didn't believe in Him. How sad! Even at His death, it seems as though only His mother was there. If His brothers had been present, would not one of them taken the responsibility of caring for their mother?
"25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home." (John 19:25-27)
I am glad that we have the book of Acts that tells us after the resurrection of Jesus, His brothers were with the disciples in the upper room. "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren." (Acts 1:14) Bible scholars also tell us that the New Testament book of James, and also that of Jude were written by brothers of Jesus. If you have lost friends, neighbors, and family members who don't believe in Jesus, don't give up. Keep praying for them and let your life be a living testimony. I still remember the phone call I got years ago from my nephew to tell me he got saved. It filled my heart with joy! Don't give up!
13. Some Will Not Believe
It is hard for us to understand sometimes why people will not believe in Jesus, God's only begotten Son. But, even while Jesus walked on this earth, many did not believe in Him. They did not believe His Word. "And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?" (John 8:45-46) Jesus knew that some just wanted to see the miracles. "Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe." (John 4:48) Others wanted to partake of the miracles. "Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled." (John 6:26) But even the miracles did not convince everyone to believe on Him. "But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:" (John 12:37) Still others let the opinions of others keep them from following Jesus. "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." (John 12:42-43) If you have not believed that Jesus is the Son of God and the only Way to everlasting life, what is hindering you?
"9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:9-13)
14. Thomas Wanted To See To Believe
We have very few recorded words that Thomas spake in the Bible. In John 11:16 he was willing to die with the Lord. "Let us also go, that we may die with him." When Jesus promised to prepare a place for them, Thomas said, "Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?" (John 14:5) When Jesus died on the cross Thomas' faith was weakened. The Lord Jesus was crucified and put in a borrowed tomb, but He rose up from the grave just as He said He would do. He appeared to the disciples but Thomas wasn't with them, and when the disciples told him, he said, "Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe." (John 20:25) When things happen in our lives that we don't understand, sometimes our faith may be weak. We may cry out to God because we can't see the purpose of our trials. After Jesus appeared to Thomas and showed him the scars in His hands and His side Thomas said, "My Lord and my God." He saw, and he believed. The Lord promised to never leave you nor forsake you, so keep trusting in Him. One day our troubles and trials will all be over and we can live forever with our Lord and our God.
"19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:...
24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." (John 20:19-31)
15. Jesus' Prayer For Me
I want to close our devotions on "Whosoever Believeth In Him" with another thought about those who did not see, but yet believed. This is important to me, because I'm a "Whosoever". After Jesus ate the Passover feast with the disciples, after He washed their feet, after Judas Iscariot left the room to betray Him, Jesus talked with His closest friends who had walked with Him during His ministry. And then He prayed. And He not only prayed for them, but He prayed for me. As you read the prayer of Jesus from John 17, remember that this was just before He went to Gethsemane and was taken to be crucified... yet, He took time to pray for us. Notice the love of God in His prayer. We are included in verse 20, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;" That's me. I have the Bible, the inspired Word of God, preserved and kept through all these generations, that I could hear, and believe, and be saved. And Paul tells us that Jesus Christ, our Lord, is at the right hand of God making intercession for us. "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8:34) Oh, how He loves us!
"1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them." (John 17)
