Devotion Jesus Prays for The Believers

Devotional: John 17

What “authority over all people” has Jesus been granted? Jesus has been granted authority over all people that he might give eternal life to those that believe in him. He is the basis by which every person’s eternity will be determined; he is the authority over how their life is to be judged. In the end, the only thing that matters for a person is the nature of their relationship with Jesus.

What is my view towards Jesus’ authority over my life? What is the implication of rejecting Jesus’ authority? As a Christian, my basic confession and declaration is that Jesus is the Lord over my life and therefore has complete authority over my entire life. The rejection of Jesus’ authority is the essence of sin and the implication is declaring my own autonomy and severing my relationship with Jesus. I need to be reminded of this, that every time I sin – each time I choose to disobey, not do something that I know I ought to do, give into my anger or lust or defend my pride and ego rather than choosing to humble myself, hold back from serving or sacrificing in some way rather than denying myself and choosing to die – each time I am rejecting Jesus’ authority over my life and going back on my commitment to give him Lordship and command over my entire being. Each time I sin, I must therefore confess and repent and reassert Jesus’ authority over my life, relinquish my control and ask Jesus to reign in me again.

Notice Jesus’ definition of eternal life. What are some wrong notions of “eternal life” that people hold? Jesus’ definition of eternal life is to know God and to know him – this knowledge is a personal knowledge, and that entails a personal relationship with Him of love that does not end and means dwelling with God for eternity. Eternal life is not a continuation of life on earth; it’s not immortality or going to a place where you all your earthly desires and wishes come true, but rather it’s life as God intended it to be from the very beginning, a restored and eternal and unhindered relationship with Him.

In what ways can I pursue eternal life today? I can pursue eternal life by striving to give authority to God over every area of my life and striving to know Him through His word. As eternal life is essentially a personal relationship with God, I can pursue eternal life by pursuing this relationship, through meditating on and obeying God’s Word. The one who sows to please the Spirit will reap eternal life. I need to sow to please the Spirit by struggling against my sin (giving God authority), remaining in Jesus through His word, and striving to obey.



Devotional Questions:

John 17:1-5

◦What “authority over all people” has Jesus been granted?
◦What is my view towards Jesus’ authority over my life? What is the implication of rejecting Jesus’ authority?
◦Notice Jesus’ definition of eternal life. What are some wrong notions of “eternal life” that people hold?
◦In what ways can I pursue eternal life today?
John 17:11, 14-18

◦What distinguishes Jesus’ disciples according to vv. 14-16? Are these evident in my life?
◦What are the unique challenges that Christians face as those who are “still in this world” but “not of the world?” How is the word of God key to facing these challenges?
◦How have I experienced the sanctifying work of God’s word in my life?
John 17:19

◦How is Jesus’ love for his disciples manifested in this verse?
◦For whom I do need to sanctify myself in order that “they too may be truly sanctified?”
Additional Questions:


John 17:1, 4-5

◦What brings God glory?
◦What specific work do I need to carry out on earth to bring God glory?
John 17:6-19

◦What did Jesus pray for his disciples, and what can I learn from the fact that these are the issues he prayed about?
John 17:20-23

◦According to this passage, what is the basis and motivation for Christian unity?
◦What is the relationship between oneness with God and oneness with the people of God?
◦How does Christian unity show the world the reality of Christ’s incarnation (cf. Acts 2:44-47)?
◦Am I experiencing this kind of oneness with the people of God? If not, what may be the reason?
◦How does Jesus’ final prayer for his disciples show me what my priority should be?
John 17:24

◦What is revealed about Jesus’ heart in his prayer for the disciples to be with him in his glory?
◦What assurance does this give me? Is Jesus’ desire matched with mine?
John 17:25-26

◦How am I experiencing this process Jesus describes: “will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them?”
Commentary:

Introduction “Jesus prays that his followers will be kept safe ‘by that name.’ The idea of name is not a minor idea to Jesus. The ‘name’ of someone represents the totality, the inner character, of their entire person. Thus in Exodus 3:13 it is important to Moses that he know the name of God so that he can indicate to the Israelites who their Savior really is. It is no accident that throughout the Gospel Jesus not only refers to his work as empowered by God’s name (John 10:25) but also that people should believe in ‘his name’ (1:12; 2:23; 3:18). Jesus bears the name of God, which is unveiled in the Gospel in its many ‘I am’ sayings. Thus, in revealing himself, he has disclosed the personhood (the name) of God to the entire world.

“(1) Jesus’ first concern, his first petition for his followers, is that they remain united (17:11). Remarkably he desires that his disciples enjoy an intimacy and oneness that are analogous to the intimacy and oneness he shares with the Father.

“(2) Jesus’ next worry concerns his disciples’ sustenance and strength in the world. Their assignment is dangerous, and so he prays for their equipment and protection. Jesus has given them his word (17:14a), and the Spirit will recall it and keep it secure (14:26). This word, this divine revelation, will become essential equipment in their testimony and survival in the world.

“(3) Jesus’ third concern has to do with holiness (17:17 – 19). There is a spiritual dilemma that pertains to all disciples: They live in the world, and yet Jesus can say that they are not ‘of the world’ (17:14, 16). This points not to their location geographically, but to their position spiritually.”[1]

v. 17 “Jesus prays that his disciples might be ‘sanctified’ (Gk. hagiazo) in the truth (17:17). This Greek word refers to something made holy, but the means to achieving this holiness is through separation. God is God by virtue of his difference, his transcendence, his otherness with respect to all creation. Anything (a mountain, a temple shovel, a priestly garment, a people) that belongs to him or serves his purposes should consider itself ‘holy’ and set apart from common use. To be holy, then, is not in the first instance a description of perfection (though this is included). It refers to a life that is so aligned with God that it reflects God’s passions completely (for good, against evil). Such a person can be considered ‘sanctified,’ holy, attached to God’s purposes and presence. In this case Jesus understands that a complete attachment to the truth discovered in God’s Word will be the means of achieving this holiness (17:17b).”[2]

v. 19 “Perhaps 17:19 is one of the key verses in the prayer. When Jesus says that he sanctifies himself (Gk. hagiazo), to what does this refer? He may have in mind his self-dedication to his greater mission. Prophets and priests dedicated themselves thus. The Lord says to Jeremiah, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart’ (Jer. 1:5, italics added). Priests likewise set themselves apart (Ex. 40:13; Lev. 8:30; 2 Chron. 5:11). But here in John 17:19 we learn that as a result of Jesus’ consecration, his disciples will benefit. In the phrase ‘for them,’ ‘for’ (Gk. hyper, meaning ‘for the sake of’) implies sacrificial death throughout John (see 6:51; 10:11, 15; 11:50 – 52; 13:37; 15:13; 18:14).”[3]

vv. 20-26 “Jesus is aware that not only will he depart from the world, but likewise those who stand with him — his immediate circle of followers — will also depart to be with him in his glory (17:24). This will leave those whom they disciple, the church, to represent the kingdom in the world. Therefore Jesus now turns to pray for these followers whom he has not yet met, men and women who will follow the apostles, indeed the church today, which carries the mission set down by Jesus during his final week.

“This is the essence of Jesus’ vision for the church. It is not a community that heals people just so that they will be whole (though healing is important); it is not a community that teaches so that people will be gratified by knowledge (though wisdom is valuable); it is not a community that evangelizes so that it will grow its ranks (though its mission to the world is crucial). The church is a community that invites people to touch the glory of God, to be changed by it, and to bear it to the world. ‘This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples’ (15:8). Spiritual fruit is essentially that which glorifies God.

“Such a concept forces us to ask hard questions about every aspect of what we do. ‘Is God glorified here?’ is the refrain that should accompany every decision. And the answer will not always be obvious or easy. But it must be asked because in Jesus’ vision, this was the essential mission of his incarnate life and now is the essential mission of the church.”[4]

The Joy of Jesus is Unity

Have you ever felt all alone in the world. Separation is a horrible experience. We live in a world that has become more connected through technology, yet more emotionally detached from true love and understanding. Jesus was aware of this condition.

The unity of the spirit is the goal of Jesus last prayer. That we can be one just as He and the Father are one. We too must be one with Jesus and the Father God.

We need not be separated from God. Jesus died on the cross so that we may live with Him and through Him. We must pray in the spirit for unity with Christ Jesus and The Holy God of all creation. God raised Jesus from the grave with all power, honor and glory.

Let us unite in perfect love, peace and the hope of the return of Jesus our lord and savior. God is good and love. Blessed is the name and joy of the lord. Unite with The Joy of Jesus.

The Joy of Jesus Message for The Environment

The Joy of Jesus Church is calling on all people of faith to pray for a solution to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. There are so many people impacted by this problem. Animals are dying .

The prayers of many work. Join the Joy of Jesus for this all important cause. We would love to hear from you on this matter. We need the spill to stop.

The Joy of Jesus is praying for a solution. Please pray with us as we pray for you. The Joy of Jesus needs your help and support to help the people, nature and planet.
http://thejoyofjesuschurchonline.blogspot.com/

The Joy of Jesus Green Tech. Program

The oil leak in The Gulf of Mexico is the biggest environmental challenge of the millennium. The solution to this problem is strategic in nature. Green Technology is the best line of thinking in order to address this problem. The Joy of Jesus Church on line's Green Technology Simplex has a wealth of information that can better inform the public regarding green tech. issues.

The future is at hand, this disaster is a wake-up call to go green and fast. Jobs and education must be re-structured to meet the demand. The Joy of Jesus is praying that the oil leak will be fixed before it ruins the environment. Wee also, understand that it will take a new innovation in green technology to restore our planet to full health.

The Joy of Jesus offers Green Technology, jobs, education and health services information and resources to help make the cultural adjustments for the future. Join our campaign for hope and opportunity today. Visit http://thejoyofjesuschurchonline.blogspot.com/ to save the world and the environment with us.