Day 256.
When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. (John 17:1-4 ESV)
In this chapter Jesus explains in plain language why he came: “to give eternal life to all whom you [the Father] have given him.” He also explains what eternal life is: “that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” Jesus sinless life and death on the cross accomplished this great work. But now Jesus has work to do back at the Father’s side and he begins that work in the presence of his disciples. What is that work? It’s praying for believers in Jesus.
I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. (John 17:9-11 ESV)
And when he prays, he doesn’t pray for an easy life for you, he prays instead for their protection from the evil one as they are sent into the hostile world on a mission to spread the good news.
I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. (John 17:15-18 ESV)
Did you know that Jesus becomes our intercessor when he ascends to heaven? Does it surprise you to learn that he doesn’t pray for an easy life for you? What do you think of that? How might you change your prayers to be more in line with Jesus’ prayer for you?
Ask God to equip you for his mission this morning.
McCheyne’s Bible Reading Plan: 2 Sa 8-9, 2 Co 2, Ez 16, Jn 17
It does surprise me.
I did not know that Jesus becomes my intercessor when he ascends into heaven.Yes this greatly surprises me.I think of that like wow I mean I did not know that.I can change the way I pray like Jesus by praying for others to have a kind of hard time just enough that it will change the way they think about others.
No I did not know that Jesus prays for me when he ascended to heaven. No it doesn’t surprise me that he doesn’t pray for a easy life. It makes me feel like well why doesn’t he? When I’m in my room and I’m scared and I ‘m saying God is with me I know that he is. If my mom came to get me then I would get to know that when I am scared. I will pray not make it easyer for me but to help me tell others about God.
I would not get to know that when I am scared.
No I didn’t know he prayed for us in heaven. Yes I knew that god was wanted us to be challenged. I could pray for the ability to do hard things.
No I did not know that Jesus prays for me. Yes it does surprise me that he doesn’t pray for things to be easier. I am glad he not making it easier because he is not doing everything for me. I can pray and not ask for it to be easier but thank God for what he is doing for me.