John 17:1–26

November 09, 2012

Yesterday I wrote how I feel as if momentum is building in our lives. Today I realize momentum is building in more than one way. Momentum is also building in the life of Christ. He begins to tell His followers about the progress of events.

John 13

He washes his followers' feet; He teaches them about the importance of servant-hood; He tells them what is going to happen before it happens; He reveals the truth about who Judas really is; Judas went out into the night; then when he was gone, Jesus said—NOW! NOW the time has come for His and the Father's glory to be shown. 

John 14

Jesus prepares His followers; He comforts them; He encourages them; He reminds them that "I am the way" and that they must believe; He promises to send them the Helper and that He is the Spirit of Truth; and He gave them His peace. He was like a coach gathering His team privately together one last time; giving them some final instructions; calling them in a circle; putting their hands together; and on the count of three saying, "Come now, let us go."

John 15

They are on the way to Gethsemane; God's plan is in motion; it is time; and Jesus continues His teaching and pep talk. Remain! Remain in me! I am the vine; you are the branch; God is the gardener; you will be pruned; it is for your good and the good of others; the world will hate you; you must tell people about Me.

John 16

The teaching continues; Jesus warns them ahead of time on what will happen; He explains to them how the Helper (Holy Spirit) will be the one who proves the truth about sin, righteousness, and judgment; the Holy Spirit will lead; He will tell what is to come; He will bring glory to Christ's name; sadness will turn to joy; you can ask for anything in Jesus' name, and the Father will do it; He said all these things so we could have peace; there will be trouble in this world; "but be brave! I have defeated the world."

John 17

Jesus prays for His followers. The time has come. He prays for: 1) glory be brought to Him and the Father; 2) the return to Glory they had together before the fall of man; 3) the protection and safety of the believers from the world and evil one; 4) the believers to be ready for service by His truth—the Word; 5) the believers to be unified as one; 6) the world to believe in Him because of that unity; 7) those who follow Him to see and share in His eternal glory forever and ever.  

It is getting closer to the time that His followers are to be sent out. The momentum is building and Jesus says, "I am praying for them." What a thought and promise. God is preparing us, teaching us, and equipping us. And most importantly, He is praying His protection over us as He is getting ready to send us out.  

Thank you, Jesus! Jane (Her Name Was Jane) has the following verses written beside this chapter.

Psalm 97:10 - "People who love the LORD hate evil. The LORD watches over those who follow him and frees them from the power of the wicked."
II Timothy 4:17–18 - "But the Lord stayed with me and gave me strength so I could fully tell the good News to all those who are not Jews. So I was saved from the lion's mouth. The Lord will save me when anyone tries to hurt me, and he will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. Glory forever and ever be the Lord's. Amen."

Life Lesson Verses:

Deuteronomy 4:7 - "... the Lord our God comes near when we pray to him."
Psalm 32:6 - "For this reason, all who obey you should pray to you while they still can. When troubles rise like a flood, they will not reach them."

My Life Verses:

Psalm 32:8 - "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you and watch over you."
Hosea 14:8 - "I, the LORD, am the one who answers your prayers and watches over you. I am like a green pine tree; your blessings come from me."

*****

I went out for a walk after I wrote this morning. Yet another old hymn was running through my mind.  :)

Revive Us Again

Hallelujah, Thine the glory

   Hallelujah, Amen.

Hallelujah, Thine the glory

   Revive us again.   

We praise You O God, for the Son of Thy love

For Jesus, who died and is now gone above.

We praise You O God, for Thy spirit of Light

Who has shown us our Savior and scattered our night.

Hallelujah, Thine the glory

   Hallelujah, Amen.

Hallelujah, Thine the glory

   Revive us again.

All glory and praise to the Lamb that was slain

Who has born all our sin and has cleansed every stain

Revive us again, fill our hearts with Thy love

And may our souls be rekindled with fire from above.

Hallelujah, Thine the glory

   Hallelujah, Amen

Hallelujah, Thine the glory

   Revive us again.

Listen to Revive Us Again here.


Next Entry: John 17:1–26 (Continued)