DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Jesus Prays for Himself!
by Elaine Pierce
Many Bibles have headings at the beginnings of chapters. These headings are extra-biblical, but they can be helpful in summarizing the text. This heading caught my eye at the start of John 17: Jesus Prays for Himself. Does that seem counterintuitive to you? Why would Jesus need to pray to himself? I can't begin to fully understand the mystery of the trinity, but I take heart that Jesus prayed. If he, who was God in the flesh, prayed, then we can follow his example knowing that God is always ready to listen, always eager to spend time with us in prayer.
Perhaps more important is the content of Jesus' prayer. He prayed for us!!
My prayer is not for them [his disciples] alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. (v. 20-21).
Those who will believe in me through those who have gone before - this message is for US! And what is his goal for his disciples and for those who follow them? Complete unity (v. 23). And that the world will know that God sent Jesus, and that we are loved even as the Father and the Son are loved.
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit exist in perfect harmony and perfect love. If we read ahead to verse 24, Jesus continues his prayer by saying that 'you loved me before the creation of the world.' And he is inviting his followers to experience that kind of eternal love. What a joy it is to be loved not for our works, not for our talents, but simply because he first loved us.
Take time this week to meditate on John 17, and to rejoice in the gift of life with Jesus. He doesn't promise happiness and ease, (re-read verse 14 if you are unsure about this) but he does promise protection, grace and his glory. And that my friends, is enough. Thanks be to God!
PRAYER
Lord, you are enough. You are good. You are perfect. Help me this week to rest in these truths, and to follow you even when the path seems uncertain and storm clouds beckon. Help me to come to you daily, and thank you for those believers who came before me to pave the way Amen.
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