And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.This is the final section of the prayer Jesus tells in John at the end of the supper he had with his disciples on the night before his arrest, trial, and death. To recap what we've had so far in this particular prayer series we've seen a very human Jesus asking God not to think less of him as he goes through this next phase of his life. Next we saw how Jesus loved those closest to him and asked that God guide them through whatever obstacles they will now face. Today we see a Jesus who prays that somehow peace and love through unity can be achieved.
‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
‘Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.’
As I said when we began focusing on this prayer from Jesus as told in the Gospel of John it really is one of my favorites. Mostly it's because of the poetry used in the prayer. It also has a lot to do with the things Jesus prays for and how it truly relates to my personal relationship with God. In my conversations with God I always thank God for being accepting of me no matter what I've done or acted or said during the day. I know God doesn't judge and somehow that reality makes me always feel better if for any reason sadness or self-doubt has crept into me.
In my conversations with God I also ask that he watch over those whom I love in the same way God loves me. I always think of my family, friends, people I work with, the youth I come into contact with everyday and every week. Asking God to be with them as they face their own issues in life gives me comfort in the knowledge that they are being watched over and guided by someone whose main purpose is to love and protect.
And today's passage is always my favorite part of prayer; asking that the people in this world can find a way to love each other just as God loves them. Wouldn't that just make all the problems go away. Everyday I'm bombarded by people and their negativity. Not personally, but seeing it played out in our media; music, radio, TV, etc. And sometimes I really have to wonder how it is God's love has been forgotten. Then I remember that it hasn't been forgotten because just as often as I see or hear a negative remark I see examples of unconditional acceptance happening.
And that really is what it's all about, isn't it. Sometimes we need the reminders that God is at work in the world, helping lives change one at a time. For me that reminder comes through prayer and trying my best to be the Christ for others. How does God remind you?
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