December 12, 2020 -- John 17:11 -- Jesus' love expressed in prayer

Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me,

that they may be one, even as we are one.

John 17:11 English Standard Version

This is the longest recorded prayer offered by Jesus. It is so full and rich. Jesus is nearing His betrayal and crucifixion and He speaks with His Father in the full confidence of His Father’s love, purpose and approval.

The Father is “Holy”. Completely separate from humanity in His perfections and His majesty and honour in keeping His promises. He had determined, before the foundation of the world to save for Himself a people to be brought to Himself through Jesus Christ. His power and holiness would accomplish this. Jesus, in His prayer, honours and blesses the Father and His holiness.

Jesus asked His Father to keep the flock which Jesus had shepherded while He was on earth; entrusting them to the Father as He departed for His suffering. They are about to face the greatest trial of their lives—Jesus’ arrest and execution. Unless the Father, by His love and purposes, had sustained the disciples and followers of Jesus they would have been broken and destroyed.

Jesus, in His humanity, was fully united with His Holy Father through the powerful presence of the Spirit. It is the Spirit Who guarded Jesus in unity with His Father throughout all His earthly ministry. This same Spirit of Holiness would sustain Jesus as He faced the greatest trial any human being in history would ever face. The divinity of Jesus would endure, the humanity of Jesus needed the Spirit’s presence—as does any human being who lives need the Spirit’s glorious presence.

Beloved children of the Father, brought near by Jesus and guarded by the Spirit—be assured that Jesus’ prayer offered so long ago continues to have validity and power. Jesus continues to pray for you, but now at the Father’s right hand. The Holy Father and Jesus have poured out the Spirit of power so that you can endure all things, hope and believe in all trials. Do not lose heart. Pray. Read the Word. Trust Jesus is exactly Who He said He is: the One Who brings you safe by the power of the Spirit into the presence of the Holy Father in heaven.

Today’s prayer is Psalm 130 is one in the series of Psalms called “The Songs of Ascents”. These are the psalms recited as the people of Israel would journey to worship the LORD at Jerusalem. As we await Jesus’ return in glory, we worship Him looking forward to the New Jerusalem.

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
2     O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
    to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
    O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
    that you may be feared.

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
    and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
    more than watchmen for the morning,
    more than watchmen for the morning.

7 O Israel, hope in the Lord!
    For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
    and with him is plentiful redemption.
8 And he will redeem Israel
    from all his iniquities.

Psalm 130 ESV

https://youtu.be/7QCcwgb817s