20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
(Olive Grove at Gethsemane- traditional site of the prayer of John 17- the author there last year). Thoughts: This is the meat of Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane (according to John) before His arrest. Typically, Jesus not only prays with His prayers He also teaches. Here are some of the key teachings found here:
1) The Word of God is true and reliable; 2) He desires oneness among His followers- this is His chief prayer for those who follow Him in the future (us); 3) He wants us to see His glory- especially as He goes to face His immanent death. There is purity, love, and purpose here. The purity comes by adhering to the Word of God. The unity comes when we seek to obey it; The purpose comes when we seek to glorify God and pay attention to His glory above all else.
Prayer: May your Word and love grow in me that I might glorify you, O Lord.
John Cavlin Abridged: There are fanatics who prattle on about sanctification but neglect the truth of God by which He sanctifies us to Himself. Real truth is found nowhere else. True, God alone sanctifies us, but He does it by the Word. Those who neglect the Word become more and more polluted. The end of our happiness consists in unity.
No comments:
Post a Comment