September 29

Day 199: When Jesus Prayed For Us

My annual Bible reading plan had me reading this morning in John's gospel, chapters 14 through 17. 17 being what is commonly referred to as "the High Priestly Prayer."

If there is a major theme to what Jesus prayed within the hour before being betrayed, it is this: God's glory seen primarily in the unity of His people - the ones the Father has given the Son.

But the latter part of this prayer sees Jesus not limiting His prayer to the 11 disciples who were there with him. Jesus extends His prayer request to the Father to include those who would follow. Those that would believe and be saved through the efforts of those first disciples/apostles. Those who would come generations, even centuries later.

It is here, beginning in verse 20, that Jesus prays for us!

"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word." And in this, the theme of asking the Father to glorify Himself through the unity of future believers is continued.

What kind of unity? What is the basis, the foundation for this unity Jesus desired and desires for His Church? Certainly not just cordially gathering on Sunday mornings. Certainly not just "being nice" to each other. The basis, the foundation is theology, actually.

Verse 21 goes on with, "...that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me."

It is our theology, what we read and believe to be true  of who Jesus is, and what Jesus has done, that holds us together...so the world can see us, hear us, and believe.

And like the difficulties and persecutions the first century believers would encounter, Jesus prays for us, that we too would face the difficulties and persecutions that come with mission.

Verses 25-26 says, "O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."

Jesus is thus praying for us; that we would fulfill the Great Commandment. That we would love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. And, that we would love "our neighbor" as much as we love ourselves. Can't have one without the other, it seems.

These days, these Covid days, even these political days are challenging us; challenging what we really believe. We have sent out a poll, asking everyone in our church to consider what they would be willing to do to allow us to continue gathering together when the temperatures drop. Alternate times, foreign to what we're accustomed to, are now on the table. Our personal preferences are, in some ways, under attack.

Two things will see us through this season. Knowing we are loved, loved in the same way the Father loves the Son, and the Son loves the Father.

And, our dogged commitment to being unified. Choosing to love each other, in the same way we each love ourselves. The glory of Jesus will be seen in what we choose to know, and how we choose to love each other.

Even in the decisions we make. Even in the inconveniences we're willing to bear. Because we want the world to see the glory of God in the visible evidence of our unity.

-Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church | Juneau