John 16-18

Scripture connections:

 Matthew 26-27, Mark 14-15, Luke 22-23

In John 16-18, Jesus is basically setting himself up to be able to say "I told you so" in order that people realize He is good for His Word.  He wants us to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He comes from our Heavenly Father, and His power is one and the same as God's power.  Not only is Jesus telling the truth, He is the truth by which we are called to live.  He tells His disciples what will happen before it happens, and helps them understand the amazing change that follows His resurrection.  His sacrifice for our sins means we are forever united with God, Our Father. 

²⁴ Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

John 16:24

I don't know about you, but as I read through the Bible and God's word for His people, I have felt separated from Jesus some how at times because I was not one of God's original chosen people around the days of Abraham and the Israelites or one of Jesus' original disciples or apostles in the New Testament.  I desperately want God's Word to apply to me.  The scriptures are so promising and powerful and full of love.  I don't want to be left out.  Silly, I know because I do know better.  These are just my honest and imperfect thoughts.  What do you think?

But friends, fellow believers, the truth and the Good News is that Jesus came into the world so that God's Word does apply to us, you and me, for all time, across generations and cultures.  And even more powerful, He tells us that it does before God even brings us into this world.  Jesus prays for us right after He prays for His original disciples.  That's right.  Jesus prays for you.  Listen to His prayer.

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.

²⁵ “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.

John 17:20-25

There you have it.  Jesus' Words, straight from God to God, for you and me in black and white.  Whoa!  That's powerful.  Jesus prays for us Himself.  He prays for us to have God's glory and to be one with God as He is.  Time to throw our ridiculous doubts right out the window. 

A prayer for today-

Dear God,

Thank you so much for Jesus and the way He brings me to You.  Thank you for Jesus' saving and everlasting prayer for me.  Forgive my ridiculous doubts.  Strengthen my faith each day.  May Jesus' words fill me with the security and joy of Your love.  May they inspire me to do works in Your name for Your glory, just like Jesus does.

In the Name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit,

Amen

May the bless you and fill your heart with the fullness of His amazing love,