December 20, 2010

GOD IS WITH YOU AND LOVES YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE!

John 17:1-26

Eric Colton
Monday's Devo

December 20, 2010

Monday's Devo

December 20, 2010

Central Truth

Even in the last days He was on earth, Jesus demonstrated His love for us (those who belong to Him through receiving the message of His gospel) by praying for us and telling us how much He loves us and that we will always be part of His beloved family.

Key Verse | John 17:22–23

"The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. (John 17:22-23)

John 17:1-26

The High Priestly Prayer

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. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 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. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 1 17:15 Or from evil 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them 2 17:17 Greek Set them apart (for holy service to God) in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, 3 17:19 Or I sanctify myself; or I set myself apart (for holy service to God) that they also may be sanctified 4 17:19 Greek may be set apart (for holy service to God) in truth.

20 I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 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. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 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.”

Footnotes

[1] 17:15 Or from evil
[2] 17:17 Greek Set them apart (for holy service to God)
[3] 17:19 Or I sanctify myself; or I set myself apart (for holy service to God)
[4] 17:19 Greek may be set apart (for holy service to God)

Dive Deeper | John 17:1-26

I remember the first time I read this chapter. I was amazed by how much Jesus loves us. Not only did He teach us, comfort us, and heal us, but moments before He was going to be arrested, HE PRAYED FOR ALL FUTURE BELIEVERS.

Before I read this, I really did not know how much God loves me. What I mean is that every time I read the Gospels, I felt that Jesus did a lot of good things for a lot of people, but for me it was never personal. After I read this chapter, it was different. In this chapter Jesus prays for me and all believers and lets us know that we are deeply loved by Him as part of His family.

I was overwhelmed as I read this, and tears of joy (and relief) streamed down my cheeks. I truly felt as if a loving father came to me when I was cold and wrapped a soft, warm blanket around me.

After I was warm and cozy, I went back to read this chapter a second time. There was a lot more here than just a warm blanket. God reveals here that He has given us to Jesus to be called His own. Wow! This is HUGE.

After it all sunk in, I pondered if I had given all of myself to Jesus as He had given all of Himself for me. The answer was no. At that point, I decided to really start reading about God in the Bible and learning how I may trust Him with all of my life (not just pieces of it) and love Him back with everything I am. This event brought great joy in all areas of my life and great glory to God.

I often go back and read this chapter as a reminder that I am His and He loves me.

Discussion Questions

1. Do you truly know how much God loves you?

2. Do you believe deeply that you are part of His family as His heir?

3. Do you love Him back with all your heart and in all areas of your life?

4. If you answered yes to the questions above, have you reminded others of how much God loves them?

FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Who is Jesus talking about in verses 20-21?

2. What is His prayer for those who believe in Him?

3. How can you be one with other believers? 

4. Part of “being one” is not being in conflict with others who believe in God. Is there anyone in your life that you need to ask for forgiveness so that you can be “one” with them again?