A few days ago, our Lenten devotional book pointed to Jesus' prayer in John 17. A few things stood out to me that I hadn't seen before. I love that about Scripture, it's always new and fresh. We are so blessed to have this wonderful gift of the Bible!
John 17:5 Now, Father, bring Me into the glory we shared before the world began. Do you think that there was a part of Jesus that looked forward to the Cross? I mean, not just that the Cross was what would remove the breach between God and His created beings, but because He wanted to go home. Home to heaven. Home to perfection. Home to a place without sin, without hatred, without anger. Home to the glory that He shared with His Father. I imagine those thoughts may have been in our Lord's head as He walked the road to the Cross.
John 17:20 I am praying not only for these disciples, but also for all who will ever believe in Me though their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as You and I are one--as You are in Me, Father, and I am in You. And may they be in us so that the world will believe You sent me. I have given them the glory You gave Me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and You are in Me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent Me and that You love them as much as You love Me.
Jesus seemed very intent on unity. Us being united with Him and the Father, and us being united with one another. This unity causes us to shine forth His love and His glory. The world would see!!
Resurrection Day is approaching. It's the perfect time to study the last days of Jesus' life here on earth. Oh what a Savior!
We've all sinned. We've all fallen short of perfection's standard, of complete sinlessness. We all need a Savior. Jesus is the only one who can fulfill that role. He is fully God, fully man, fully sinless....the only one who could be the sacrifice to cover our sin. And He did! And He defeated sin on the Cross, and defeated death 3 days later. The empty tomb is our celebration! And not only did He pray for us before His earthly death, He continues to make intercession for us even now. Romans 8:34 Who then will condemn us? No one--for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us and He is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us. The first step is to admit our sinfulness and need of His saving, asking Him to become our Savior and Lord to receive His gift of salvation and eternal life.
I love that Jesus prayed. It's our example. Looking at His prayers, we see His heart, see what was important to Him. What a beautiful way to discover our Lord.
Thank You Lord for leading me to this passage! Thank You for praying for me, and for all of Your children!! That thought amazes me. Wow...You God, You Savior, You Creator of everything, Lord of everything, take time to pray for me...both then and today. Just wow.
Read Jesus' prayer in John 17 today. Sit with it a while and enjoy being led to the heart of our Savior.
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