February 14. John 17:1-26
How fitting, on Valentine’s Day, to be reading Jesus’ prayer for His disciples and … for us. You and me. He prayed for us right before He died for us. How amazing is that?!! Whether you are celebrating Valentine’s Day with the love of your life who knows exactly how to make your day perfect or … whether you are living in a less-than-perfect Valentine world … YOU ARE LOVED. Just soak that in for a moment and feel it wash over you. Jesus loved you so much He prayed for you before you were even born.
Let’s unpack what He prayed for those who would believe because of His disciples’ testimony.
- I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one … We Christians can be a contentious non-unified bunch at times. We can disagree over the silliest things, as well as over important matters. But when we all meet and partake of the Lord’s Supper, remembering His death until He comes, and when we lift our voices together in praise and worship, and when we come together with heads bowed in humility, we are doing what He prayed we’d do. I like to think that studying together is also a “one” thing – all of us savoring His Word!
- And may they be in us … We stay/abide/remain in Him. That close! He wants us that close.
- that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Let’s remember our purpose – to share this wonderful gospel news with those around us! Jesus came to save because He loves the lost ones. That’s our wonderful good news to share.
- Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me … He wants us with Him so we can see His glory and all the gloriousness of Heaven and of living with God who is Love! He’s eager to welcome us when our time on earth is done. OH the joy of that thought!
My verse: John 17:26 “I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”
My response: Jesus’ ultimate plan! He came and revealed who God is by living among us. He showed the depth of God’s love to us through His sacrificial and tortured death. He and the Father are One God in three persons and there’s amazing love within the Trinity. That Immense Love is what He desires to be within us as well. He wants us to be a part of it, and so He (as Holy Spirit) literally enters us and makes us whole. Dear Lord Jesus, that’s how close you want to be with me? You are in me because You love me that much. Hallelujah! Thank You, Lord. You are welcome in my heart always. Amen.
