I Have Prayed for You Today

  

Today's passage:  John 17:13-26

Jesus was, and IS, our high priest. He is the One who stands in the gap between us and the Father. Cleansing and perfecting us that we might be holy in His sight and not consumed  with judgment because of our sinful ways.  In today's passage, Jesus is fulfilling His call, in the most glorious, poignant way possible.  As He prepares to die for the world, He prays for His disciples.  His precious, chosen ones.  Then He prays for those who will believe because of them.  That is you and me!!!  Jesus prayed for us, while we were yet unborn.  And He continues to make intercession for us today, at the right hand of Father God.

13 "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.

Jesus was aware that His death was near.  He would bear the weight of the world's sins upon His shoulders.    But because He was leaving, He chose to offer this prayer in their hearing, that they would have a full measure of joy within them.  In His hour of great distress, your joy was His concern.

14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

Jesus knew.  Oh, how He knew!  That as His children, we would not fit in.  We would not be at home in this world.  He knew that the world would oppose us,  reject us, and try to destroy us.  Because we are His.  Because we are not of this world.  His prayer was not that you would fit in, but that while you remain, you will be protected. Protected from the evil one. Satan himself.  Protected from the spirit of Antichrist that is rampant in this world.   For this, He prayed for you.

 17 Sanctifyb them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

Jesus prayed that you would be cleansed, made righteous and set apart by the truth of His word.  He prayed that you would come to perfection in Him.  Jesus acknowledged that He is sending you forth, into the world, with His gospel message.  For you He sanctified himself, that you may be sanctified.  Without Him, you had no hope of  holiness.  But in Him, "...you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus."

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. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world 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.
25 "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."

Jesus' desire for us, the body of Christ ,for you as a member individually, is to be one in the Lord.  To be one in the body of Christ.  He offers you the same unique relationship that He shares  with the Father.  Oneness.  Oneness in heart, in  purpose, in calling, in  love.  His glory is manifest in you, child of God, as you dwell in unity with fellow believers.

Jesus prayed that you would be with Him.  Where He is.  He longs to have to you restored to Him in heaven, once your mission is complete.  But until then, you have a work to do.  A work that brings Him glory.

Recently, a wonderful friend of mine, felt the need to introduce me to a special friend  of hers.  She felt that God had a purpose in our meeting.  She knew  her. She knew me.  And somehow, she knew that we needed to know each other.  In the same way, Jesus knows the Father.  So intimately.  He also knows you.  Every complexity of your personality and character.  And in that knowing, He wants you to know the Father.  I was received by my friend's friend because of the relationship that they walked in.  I was received in the name of  my friend.  Received.  You are received in the Name of Jesus.  The Name that is above every Name.

Today, O Lord, my prayer is for every reader.  Help them to be keenly aware of your desire for them.  Help them to sense a connection to the Father, through You.  Help them to fulfill the purpose You have left for them and appointed them to do.  Grant them a unified heart with Your will, Your purpose and Your holiness.  Help them to forgive their grievances within the body of Christ.  Just as they are forgiven by You.  Glorify Yourself in them today.  Fill them with truth, glory and might, that they may perceive and walk in all that You have purchased for them. In Jesus' Name.  Amen.