![]() ![]() He was digging deep by praying something for them, over them, and into them that went all the way back to Eden and extends all the way forward to Revelation 19–22-oneness and unity. It moves me deeply to read these words by Jesus and to see Jesus contending for them in prayer. Jesus wasn’t really leaving them He would be with them in Spirit, and He had a life-saving job for them to do. ![]() And they would not only need each other, they would be strong, healthy, and unified in their gospel mission. Jesus knew they would need each other more than ever in the years to come. Even the ascension-with the resurrected, victorious Jesus going back to heaven to be with His Father-would have felt like such a deep loss to them, as we considered yesterday. Jesus knew that the coming events would shake the disciples to their core and shatter their immediate sense of shalom in the world. It communicates the idea of wholeness, flourishing, delight, and harmony. Hebraic shalom is about so much more than peace, though. In Hebrew the term for this kind of peace is shalom, and it was the hallmark feature of the garden. Peace was the atmosphere of the original garden. Everything functioned in unison with everything else. In Eden, everything worked and worked together beautifully. Unity is what I call an “edenic quality.” It existed in the garden of Eden long before sin entered the world. ![]() Holy Father, protect them by your name that you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one. I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. The most important prayer Jesus had for His disciples in this critical moment was that they would be one, that they would be unified. How would His followers survive the days, weeks, months, and years to come? How would they live forward in a world without the everyday, physical presence of Jesus in their lives? Jesus prayed the answer. 28:19-20).Īfter praying for Himself, Jesus transitioned to a prayer of petition on behalf of His disciples. This is the work, the mission, Jesus would command the disciples to join Him in (Matt. He also reminded His followers of His purpose in coming to earth in the first place-to unite people to God, a righting of the wrong done in the garden of Eden. ![]() Jesus began this prayer much like He began His model prayer, by acknowledging the glory of God the Father. And it was a powerful and intentional prayer. Knowing that Gethsemane, arrest, trial, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension awaited Him, Jesus prayed. In mere moments they would get up from their Middle Eastern pallet and make their way to Gethsemane. The meal was over, and He had said everything He wanted to say to His disciples. I love that Jesus not only took time to give a lot of words to His disciples He gave a lot of words to His Father, too.Īlmost all of John 17 (with the exception of verse 1a) are words prayed by Jesus to the Father on behalf of Himself and His followers. After pouring words of truth and encouragement into His disciples, Jesus ended the meal with a lengthy prayer. John 17 marks the end of the famous Last Supper, and at the start of John 18 we see Jesus headed off to the garden of Gethsemane. Learn more about this impactful new Bible study here! This excerpt comes from Kristi McLelland’s week of study. We’re excited to share a free excerpt from When You Pray by Kelly Minter, Jackie Hill Perry, Jen Wilkin, Jennifer Rothschild, Jada Edwards, and Kristi McLelland with you. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |