Bible Chapter: John 17

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    This prayer is the last thing Jesus did before He was arrested.  And, in it He prayed for us today.  He prayed for all who would believe on Him.  Jesus prayed that His followers would be truly unified.  We must continually be unified in our love of God and reject the pull for schism.  Trying to get Christians picking at one another is a favorite activity of our adversary.  More energy has been wasted fighting over things that don’t matter than we can count.  I remember hearing someone say about their local church:  “We are going to have unity around here, even if we have to fight to keep it.”
    Jesus also prayed that the church would be holy.  This means we are set apart from active participation in sin and actively letting the character of God grow in and flow through us.  Through our Godly unity we are accomplishing the purpose God intended.  It is through a holy life that we will be able to accomplish the purpose God has for our lives.
    Jesus prayed for our protection from the forces and power of the world.  He specifically said that His followers are NOT of this world.  We live here and work for God here, but we are really citizens of His kingdom and must keep our focus on that.  As we live in God’s presence we become more and more like Him.  Our old nature dies out and continues to die out so that the righteousness of God grows.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    I remember the words of a song from long ago: “I have one deep supreme desire, that I may be like Jesus.”  These words come to mind as I think of applying this chapter.  Jesus prayed for me that I would really know Him.  He prayed that through this relationship I would be kept from the taint and destruction of the world.  He prayed that I would be holy inside and out.  He prayed that I would live in unity with those who believe in Him.  He prayed that I will be victorious throughout life and be in my eternal home.
    As I think of all the things Jesus prayed for, I am reminded that I play a large part in seeing the results come Jesus desired for me.  I must live in a continual submission to Him and seek to mature spiritually.  Serving Jesus and growing in Him is a process that will take my entire life.  Jesus said He fulfilled the plan the Father had for Him.  I must continue to strive to fulfill the plan God has for me.  Whatever He has, I must seek and be faithful so that some day I hear “well done”.
    A big part of the application of what God has for me is obedience.  I must strive for and actually do it - obey.  Obedience of any authority is probably the most difficult issue most people deal with.  Getting close to Jesus is a major step in accomplishing obedience to Him.  We can come to the place where we really want to obey.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Jesus prayed for us.  I must pray for people for them to come to know this relationship with God that has been bought and paid for by Jesus.  Pray that people will see Jesus for Who He really is, not the distorted view propagated by the enemy.