Jesus Prays to His Father
A few weeks ago, I wrote about the need to “abide” in Christ. I think every Christian desires to develop that deep, intimate relationship with our Savior. That is the definition of “abide.” The question is always, “How do we do that?”
This week my Bible study group looked
closely at John 17, which I believe allows us to examine the deep, intimate
relationship between the Father and the Son.
As Jesus prays, not a prayer of teaching as is found in Matthew 6, but a
prayer of love and devotion to His Father and the “Mission”, we get a glimpse
of what it means to “abide” in God or Christ.
He begins the prayer with humility,
seeking glory for Himself only so that the Father might be glorified. His mission of bringing salvation to the
world was done. Yes, He still had to
face the cross in the next few hours, but for Him, that was simply the climax
to all that had already been accomplished.
It was now time to return to His prior glory, to be reunited with the
Father.
His prayer didn’t end there. He knew that the Disciples’ mission was just
beginning, and He asked the Father to protect them from the lies and deceit of
the evil one and to unify them. Jesus
knew that in just a few hours, they would all be scattered, fearing for their
lives. He also knew that if they were to
fulfill their mission to take the Gospel to the world, they had to be one, just
as He and the Father are one.
Finally, and perhaps most precious
to me, is that He prayed for us—you and me!
He prayed for all who would come after Him, believing in His name, and
again, He prayed for unity. He knew that
for the world to know Him, the Church must be united. A house divided against itself cannot stand
(Mark 3: 25). We must present the message
of the Gospel as one in Christ!
As we individually seek to “abide”
in Christ, I think we can take a page out of Jesus’ prayer book. Let’s begin with humility, seeking praise and
glory only for God, not ourselves. Then,
let’s pray for those closest to us, not just for healing and a good life, but
that God will protect them from the lies and deceit of Satan. Let’s also pray for ourselves, the believers
who follow Christ, that we may be one even as the Father and Son are one. Pray that, like Christ, we will finish the “Mission”
the Father has given to us.
I
believe that prayer is one of the most important ways to learn to “abide” in Christ. But it’s not just any prayer. It must be prayer that is focused on Him and
the “Mission”. I’m still learning that,
and I invite you to join me on the journey.
How sweet it will be to someday say with Christ, “I have brought you
glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do” (John 17: 4 NIV84).
John 17
Lord Jesus,
ReplyDeleteAs I reflect on Your prayer in John 17, I am overwhelmed by the depth of Your love.
Even as You approached the cross—knowing the suffering, betrayal, and burden of sin You would bear—Your thoughts were not of Yourself, but of Your Father’s glory and our salvation.
You prayed for Your disciples. You prayed for me.
You asked the Father to keep us, to sanctify us, to unite us in love and truth.
In that moment, You looked beyond the pain and into eternity,
interceding for those who would come to believe.
I am lost for words, Lord, because no gratitude feels enough.
How do I thank You for thinking of me when You were preparing to die for me?
How do I honor a love so deep, so undeserved?
All I can offer is my heart, surrendered.
My life, yielded.
And my voice, to say:
Thank You, Jesus, for loving me with such compassion,
for praying for me before I ever knew You,
and for completing the mission that brought me hope, redemption, and eternal life.
Amen.
Beautiful prayer! Thanks for sharing.
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