“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.”
John 17 is a prayer for us all. John’s gospel was meant for us as much as it was for any of the first century churches. They were the first missions and in this age we have the privilege to be the later missions.
A verse has just been placed in my remembrance.
Deuteronomy 11:14 he will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the later rain, that you may gather in your grain and your wine and your oil.
We wait with all patience for the gathering.
Patience in Suffering
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.
Until then there is work to be done by obedience of faith.
God speaks.
We hear.
We believe.
We obey.
God does the work.
Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
If we have not been gathered, the will of the Father is still at work.
While this is a sign to me of what needs to be done, I cannot ignore the emotional impact of knowing that my Lord prayed this prayer in John 17 for me. We are emotional people and I cannot deny the likelihood that while I take it personally while others might not.
We are one of many, yes, that is true. I would like to remind everyone that we were not chosen last, like a schoolyard pick. We were chosen first.
Ephesians 1:4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love