Good morning! A little frost on the windshields of the car and the house and barn roof. Possible snow showers today! Winter is coming!!
This morning's chapter is a gut-wrenching prayer from Jesus for his disciples. He just talked with them about what is going to happen. As we have all concluded, the disciples still didn't get it- and I don't think we get it yet! I think the disciples imagined he was going to Rome to have it out with Pontus Pilate and then return victorious. He was the Messiah, the Savoir, the One that came to free them from oppression. One person I often think of during this time is Judas...where was he? What was he thinking? How was he feeling- all alone?
This is the longest recorded prayer of Jesus in the Bible. The sentences are simple but the ideas are moving and powerful. We really get to see the real Jesus, what he is thinking; we will be able to peer into His heart. Read it through a few times.
Jesus is likely standing with outstretched arms and looking toward the heavens. Not a typical (for us anyway) way to such an intense deep prayer. He is looking up in glory and hope, not down in shame and despair!
We will see lots of "You", "Your Son", "Father" being used- an intense feeling of relationship and love. It is time. The hour had come. The cross- a symbol of utter humiliation will become a symbol of glory and praise. An instrument of shame will be turned into an instrument of love.
Jesus claims his deity when he says, "given authority over all people" (v 2). No one but God can make that claim. Jesus is the one who offers eternal life- an experiential relationship with God and Jesus (v 3). Eternal life means we are active in relationship with God and God's kingdom. What will that be like?
Jesus now turns his prayer to the disciples. In their three years of ministry, they made God's name known throughout the world (v 6). They displayed the characteristics of God and what it meant to be God's chosen people. People were talking! Jesus chose the disciples, but they were given by God, God first had them, and then they were turned over to Jesus for ministry- even with their faults and mistakes- they did the work of God. The disciples obviously didn't understand everything Jesus was talking about these last few years (and last few hours especially), but Jesus thinks they are convinced of Jesus' divinity (vv 8-9). Jesus is concerned about them and their well being; he is looking out for them- especially over the next few days (v 9). Jesus cares about the world, but it is these close followers that are critical to the expansion of Jesus' message.
Jesus is concerned about their well-being after the crucifixion. Jesus will be with God, but his fear is for the disciples that will be facing loneliness and persecution and doubt (v 11). They need special prayer- the man they had been with for the last three years will be gone; the man they trusted will be betrayed, humiliated, and crucified; their world is about to be turn upside down and they will need special care and attention from God. Jesus was there to protect and guide them for the last three years- no they are on their own- with God's help (v 12). Jesus does bring up Judas (end of v 12).
Jesus asks God for their continued joy and protection from Satan (v 15). They are to stay active in the world and not seek isolation; continue doing ministry and continue spreading the joy of Christ. They are unique people (v 16) and not of this world (as in Christ was not form this world). Jesus separates them from others by saying they are unique and special people. Sanctify them (v 17); sanctify means to be set apart to do God's work.
Jesus then turns his attention to all believers (v 20). Jesus knows that there are many people following Him and it is the result of the work the disciples and He have done. Their faith will be challenged the next several days too! Also, many more will come to believe after all this happens and they will need "protection" from persecution, etc. Jesus' desire is that the great multitude of people: nation, race, language, social class- all be gathered as one body united under God (v 21). Jesus has a desire that he focus is love and the unity is based on love and respect and commonality based on Jesus (v 23).
Jesus closes this prayer with faith and triumph over evil and wickedness. Jesus knew that His work was almost done and that His earthly ministry had been successful. It is now to the disciples, with God's help and the influence of the Holy Spirit, to continue this ministry.
Some very emotional and compassionate thoughts form Jesus. He and the disciples move to the Garden of Gethsemane in the next chapter and the betrayal of Judas will happen. Jesus' life is coming to a close but He still shows compassion and love.
Have a good day.
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
No frost here I am in Florida with my son and his fiance whom he just asked to marry Sunday. We are so excited we love her and are very happy to have Jaclyn part of our family.
ReplyDeleteI am coming to you but my followers are still in this world.
Jesus is speaking about eternal life. This is what we have been taught and preached to our whole lives but again did Jesus followers understand? My reading says he was looking up in glory and hope.
I wish I knew about other religions and what their thoughts are on eternal life. I find it comforting. It is hard to understand all the conflict over religious beliefs. It seems that our our group is okay with others thinking differently.
Donna I agree with you that there is more love than hate in the world.
John gives us such insight into Jesus - especially his conversations with the disciples. I find it interesting - in my translation - vs. 4 - Jesus says in His prayer to God"...I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do....." I am a little surprised that His work was done??? In three years??? I also found vs. 12 interesting "...none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled." - so all the disciples were saved but Judas and that Judas had to do what he did in order for the scripture would be fulfilled. I wonder why Jesus would include this in His prayer to God - who already knew this? And knew about Judas. But I love reading this prayer that Jesus spoke and how he first prays for the disciples and then for world and those that will believe because of their words! Vs. 26 is my favorite - "And I have declared unto them they name, and will declare it; that the love wherewith thou has loved me may be in them, and I in them. "
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful - "The love wherewith thou hast loved me be in them, and I in them." What a perfect world that would me - that I would KNOW the love that God had for Jesus and that that love would be in me as well as Jesus. But I, who has loved Jesus (and known Him as much as my knowledge allowed me) and feel that Jesus is within me, have made so many mistakes and still, down deep, cannot LOVE everyone. Accept? Yes. Offer friendship and understanding? Yes. But LOVE? I don't think so.
I am interested in know John's telling of the betrayal and arest.
I wonder about Judas also Did he know that he could ask for forgiveness prior to taking his life ater the betrayal after all it was written in the scriptures tasth this would happem?
ReplyDeleteAnyhow what a powerful prayer Jesus praying for the disciples then the prays for the others that would follow and believe in him. There are some words in the prayer that make me wonder about the trinity The holy spirit is not mentioned but Jesus speaks of the son but does he feel that God will take him back with him as he prays for that to happen. he prays for the disciples and says that were not lost except for one headed for destruction (Judas) was this also a prayer for Judas because of the written scriptures/
Then he prays for us future believers. He speaks of being the sacrifice to save the believers What a burden Jesus must have felt he is the Messiah the son of god but he is also human and as a human he must have felt fear.
This prayer is so powerful and strong but so sad also
Jesus starts this chapter by stating once again by stating that His time has come. He has told this to His disciples, who are still confused as to what this all means. They apparently feel that He is going to Rome to meet with Pontius Pilate, and He will return in glory. However, we know what is going to happen – Jesus is going to be crucified and He will die, only to be resurrected on the third day. We know this since we have the glory of hindsight.
ReplyDeleteJesus then prays for His disciples, telling His Father that they are hated. He goes on to say that they eqe Yours and Yours are Mine. He then prays to the Father that none of them are lost, including the one doomed to destruction so that the Scripture can be fulfilled. This is a reference to Judas the one who betrays Jesus and ends up paying for it with his life, a suicide.
Jesus winds up by praying for all believers, "I in them and You in Me." “Then the world will know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me.”
This is a sad prayer. Jesus is so devout, so concerned about others even knowing what is coming. He asks that the disciples are protected. Vs21- that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. I also believe in God and Jesus and pray everyday to be a better person but I fail every day. Donna, I cannot love every one either, even people in my own family, nor can I accept them. I really wonder how God could forgive my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI notice that there is a reference in vs 24- you loved me before the creation of the world. Again we see that Jesus’ coming was planned at the very beginning.