Sharing Bread John 17:26

SHARING BREAD

26 “I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”


John 17:26 (NIV)


In the last Words of His great High Priestly Prayer Jesus states He had clearly demonstrated by both Word and deeds the Father’s character, attributes and reputation – He being the perfect resemblance of God. Jesus displayed the invisible nature of the Father – He being the exact representation of His Father’s Being. He had lovingly made the Father known to His disciples and now they in turn were to make Him known to a lost and needy world. Furthermore, our Lord states, He was going to continue to make His Father known for the express purpose that the love the Father had for the Son would also be in our Lord’s followers and Jesus would be in them as well. Our Lord proclaimed His Father to be the Sender of salvation to a weary world without hope and without God and He would continue to declare it even after His ascension through the precious Holy Spirit abiding in the saints. To make the Father known was the one great object of Jesus’ ministry and it is to be ours as well. Scripture tells us:

18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known. John 1:18 (NIV)




15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Col 1:15 (NIV)



3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Heb 1:3 (NIV)





6 "I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me." John 17:6-8 (NIV)





“God alone knows the depth and riches of His Godhead, and divine wisdom alone can declare His secrets.” Thomas Aquinas

To this day, Christ continually makes declarations of His Father’s great renown - through the indwelling Holy Spirit in the saints - to all the ends of the earth as long as the world endures. Experiencing God’s love in their own hearts the disciple is to then demonstrate it to others just as our Lord had done. We are to follow our Lord’s great example. Hence the Great Commission Jesus gave to His followers (and every follower thereafter) prior to His ascension from this earth:

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt 28:18-20 (NIV)

Our Lord desires for His followers to experience a sense in their own hearts of the love of the Father as the Father had loved Him. Agape love – selfless love – comes straight from God. It is a patient and kind love that gives rather than self-seeks. It is a love that protects and hopes and perseveres – a love that never fails. It is a super natural love believers are to demonstrate to others through the power of the Spirit. If we do not love, we do not know God because He is love.

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:7-12 (NIV)

“Love for God is ecstatic, making us go out from ourselves. It does not allow the lover to belong any more to Himself, but only to the Beloved.” Dionysios

What I glean from this:

• Jesus – God the Son - demonstrated God the Father’s character, attributes and reputation to a lost and needy world.


• Only God could reveal the riches of divine wisdom.


• Equipped with the power of the Holy Spirit I am to super naturally demonstrate God’s love to others through my words and my deeds.

Sharing Bread John 17:25

SHARING BREAD

25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me”.


John 17:25 (NIV)

Over and over again in Scripture Jesus declared the world neither knew the Father nor Him, the Son. Indeed, our Lord states quite plainly earlier in this same chapter of John that eternal life equated to knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent. It is a knowledge manifesting in an intimate and dynamic and continuous relationship – a relationship that is eternal not temporal:

3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3 (NIV)



“If you wish to know God, you must know his Word. If you wish to perceive His power, you must see how He works by his Word. If you wish to know His purpose before it comes to pass, you can only discover it by His Word.” C.H. Spurgeon

Unlike the world who did not take notice and believe when the Word walked among them, our Lord’s original disciples were persuaded of this Truth and believed that Jesus came from God – sent from the Father into the world. They confirmed their faith through their relationship to and by their knowledge of the one true God and Jesus Christ, His Son. They responded to the message of God in Christ Jesus:

8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. John 17:8 (NIV)



Interestingly, pure and pristine knowledge of our Lord Jesus was the Apostle Paul’s greatest focus and pursuit. Paul forcefully forsook his own human efforts and achievements in order to know the greatness of the Lord Jesus Christ and to be filled with His glorious righteousness rather than the rubbish of his own. Nothing else the world glittery dangled in front of him mattered to him any longer – dropping the dross in pursuit of the gold. There is nothing in us to recommend us to God’s favor – all our “righteous” acts are as filthy rags – only the righteousness of Christ within us gives us the favor of God. We are unworthy, but Jesus is worthy. Paul states his passionate plea in Philippians - oh that every follower of the Lord Jesus would have such a pursuit as this!



7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Phil 3:7-11 (NIV)

“Oh, the fullness, pleasure, sheer excitement of knowing God on earth!” Jim Elliot

Lastly, it should be noted that despite all the original disciple’s infirmities, failings and peccadilloes, they realized the Lord’s divine mission and our Lord gave them a high testimony. This gives me hope! Jesus distinguishes His guys from the unbelieving world. To know and believe in the Lord Jesus in the midst of the infidelity and ignorance of an unbelieving and hostile world will most certainly be crowned with distinguishing glory.



What were we made for? To know God. What aim should we set ourselves in life? To know God. What is the eternal life that Jesus gives? Knowledge of God. What is the best thing in life, bringing more joy, delight, and contentment, than anything else? Knowledge of God. What, of all the states God ever sees man in, gives Him most pleasure? Knowledge of Himself. J.I. Packer



“The end of learning is to know God, and out of that knowledge to love Him and imitate Him.” John Milton



12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:12-14 (NIV)

What I glean from this:



• When the Word walked this earth the world did not know or recognize Him neither is He known or recognized by the world now.


• I am to pursue the knowledge of God and His Son, Jesus Christ – it is the end of all learning.


• Fulfillment of all knowledge of GOD the Father and GOD the Son occurs when we will see Him face to face: 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Cor 13:12 (NIV)

Sharing Bread John 17:24

SHARING BREAD

24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.”


John 17:24 (NIV)

It is the desire of our relational Savior to be in communion and fellowship with His followers throughout all eternity. He comforts us with these words earlier in John as well – He wants us to be with Him – sharing in His glory – how He sweetly loves us:

1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”  John 14:1-3 (NIV)




Indeed, Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians we are to encourage one another with this thought of eternal communion with the Lord Jesus:



16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words. 1 Thess 4:16-18 (NIV)




Certainly one day all believers in Jesus will be changed in the twinkling of an eye from the perishable to the imperishable, from the mortal to the immortal and death, Scripture tells us, will be swallowed up in victory – Hallelujah!



50 I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed-- 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 1 Cor 15:50-54 (NIV)



We are eternal beings though our natural body is perishing and our mortal frames will one day expire. Whether we choose to believe this fact or not does not negate its Truth – we have immortal souls. One day, through our own choice, each will either be with the Lord Jesus throughout eternity or be separated from Him in a place our Lord repeatedly describes in Scripture as darkness where one remains eternally in a state of “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” We find Jesus’ warning Words to us in Matthew:



40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.”  Matt 13:40-43 (NIV)




Those of us who cling to the Truth of Christianity - that apart from belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and His redeeming work for us on the cross we remain eternally damned - should certainly be motivated – propelled to share this Good News with others. The apostle Paul was a master at tirelessly presenting the Gospel – He took seriously the ministry of reconciliation that all believers have been entrusted with – indeed, he took it to another level. 2 Corinthians tells us:



16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Cor 5:16-21 (NIV)

“The great difficulty is to get modern audiences to realize that you are preaching Christianity solely and simply because you happen to think it true; they always suppose you are preaching it because you like it or think it good for society or something of that sort…” C.S. Lewis

“Most of us find it very difficult to want ‘Heaven’ at all – except in so far as ‘Heaven’ means meeting again our friends who have died. One reason for this difficulty is that we have not been trained: our whole education tends to fix our minds on this world. Another reason is that when the real want for Heaven is present in us, we do not recognize it. Most people, if they had really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that they do want, and want acutely, something that cannot be had in this world. There are all sorts of things in this world that offer to give it to you, but they never quite keep their promise.” C.S. Lewis

What I glean from this:

• Jesus desires for me to be with Him eternally in glory. This is very good news (to say the least!).


• One day I will be changed in the twinkling of an eye from perishable to imperishable.


• I am to be faithful to tell others of the Good News of Jesus. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Gal 6:9 (NIV)

Sharing Bread John 17:22-23

SHARING BREAD

22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.


John 17:22-23 (NIV)


“To let the world know” is not too dissimilar to the Words our Lord chose to use in verse 21 of this same chapter – “so that the world may believe”. God cares about the lost of this world – the depraved, the downtrodden, and the dismayed and depressed - His motivation toward all people being love. Never forget that His greatest and most priceless Gift of Jesus was given for the whole world – not simply for a select few but for all. I am once again reminded of the sweetness of the Words of John 3:16:

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16 (NIV)

“Jesus, Thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love Thou art.” Charles Wesley

Saints are God’s chosen vessels to bring the good news of His salvation to a lost and weary sin laden world. In light of this, it is our Lord’s desire for His followers to be of one mind, one will, one heart and one judgment - just as Jesus was and is One with the Father. The Son and the Father have the closest possible unity of purpose. Earlier in John we find our Lord stating thus:

30 “I and the Father are one.” John 10:30 (NIV)

“We are mirrors of God, created to reflect Him.” Ernesto Cardenal

Believers are as many members - albeit each with unique individual functions – being all part of one Body, the church, of which Christ is the Head. I cannot write this without being reminded of Paul’s exhortation to us in Romans 12:

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.   Romans 12:3-5 (NIV)


We are to be one in spirit and in purpose just as the Father and the Son – the intimacy of their Oneness expressed by our Lord’s Words in our verses for today. This is an extremely important point as disunity in the Body causes much confusion, vulnerability and weakness opening us up to the assaults of Satan. We become uninspiring rather than winsome and certainly not wooing. We blend with the darkness and diffuse the light. We replace being a “city on a hill” with “vulnerable in the valley”. Shame on us! Jesus wants unity - not uniformity - of heart, of will, of doctrine and of practice in the lives of His followers. This unity will shake the world obliging it to confess the Truth of Christianity. It is a unity of the heart motivated by love resulting from the members being filled and led by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is why our Lord prays so fervently towards that end for His followers – for the continued maintenance and increase of it. If all believers were of one mind working together we would soon turn the world upside down – not too differently from the first eleven. We would also do well to remember that flesh cannot maintain unity of the Body – pride, selfish ambitions and vain conceits will prohibit its longevity. Paul gives us a fitting end to our discussion on unity found in Colossians:

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.   Col 3:5-17 (NIV)



“If we focus on our differences, our focus is on each other. If we focus on unity, our focus is on God.” Anonymous




What I glean from this:



• God cares about the lost of this world – He desires for none to perish but all to come to repentance.


• God desires unity in the Body of Christ – unity in the essentials, charity in the non-essentials.


• Flesh births disunity in a believer whereas the Spirit births unity.

Sharing Bread John 17:20-21

SHARING BREAD

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you 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.”


John 17:20-21 (NIV)


I believe this to be one of the dearest verses for future believers found in our Lord’s High Priestly Prayer as He is praying for all who would eventually come to know Him through the eleven’s witness – this would graciously include both you and me. He enlarges His prayer to encompass the whole company of faithful followers in every generation not just merely the eleven apostles only. Jesus knew full well believers in every age would need preservation and sanctification. God’s goal for all saints is sanctification – meaning His desire is for every follower to be controlled by Jesus’ nature rather than by their own fleshly nature.

In light of our sanctification, our Lord’s scope in His intercessory prayer was deep and wide indeed. We should make note of this considering our own feeble prayers – we so often pray small do we not? It would behoove us as well to pray for future believers who will come to know the Lord long after our feet have left this earth. Just as each high priest of Israel continued to bear the names of the twelve tribes over his heart before God in the tabernacle as well as in the temple, so now our great High Priest Jesus carries future believers into the presence of God. Scripture tells us that whenever Aaron the priest of Israel would enter the Holy Place he was to bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart as a memorial before the Lord – ever bringing the tribes of Israel before God’s throne:

29 “Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the LORD.” Ex 28:29 (NIV)



Jesus is our great High Priest and intercessor - continually bringing us before God’s throne. His permanent priesthood affording Him the capacity to bring His saving work to completion. Hebrews states:



24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 26 Such a high priest meets our need--one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Heb 7:24-26 (NIV)



John also tells us in Revelation that Jesus loves us, coming to set us free from the bondage of our sins through His blood and making us to be a kingdom and priests. We have an obligation to be praying for present believers and future believers as well. Saints have a purpose of now and forever serving God:



To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen Rev 1:5-6 (NIV)

We should note as well that one comes to believe through the preached Word of God. It is the means God uses as Scripture tells us – faith comes by hearing. People do not come to faith through human persuasion and cleverness rather through the pure and holy Truth of God’s Word. It is alive and active and sharper than a double edged sword. The Spirit uses it to convict and encourage, woo and draw, strengthen and satisfy. Paul tells us:



17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17 (NIV)


“And the only way to know the God of the Word is to know the Word of God.” Donna Evans


"The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian." A.W. Tozer

Lastly, it is the Lord’s great desire for His followers to be one in heart and action. Divisions among the saints grieve His holy heart. The want of unity among believers as well as continuous strife causes much damage to Christ’s great Name. The Savior suffers through the hot contentions and continuous striving of those who call themselves saints. This is why unity among believers is continually preached throughout the New Testament. Paul clearly states the correct behavior for every believer in Colossians which properly reflects our Lord to others:



12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Col 3:12-14 (NIV)




King David also tells us:



1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! Psalms 133:1 (NIV)



Paul adding his exhortation in Romans 12:



18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 (NIV)



What I glean from this:



• Jesus prays large and so should I.


• God desires for me to be controlled by Jesus’ nature – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control – and not by my own fleshly nature.


• If it is possible – as far as it depends on me - I am to live at peace with everyone.

Sharing Bread John 17:18-19

SHARING BREAD

18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.


John 17:18-19 (NIV)

Just as Jesus was sent on mission into the world by the Father, Jesus’ followers are sent on mission into the world by the Son. This is not a trite statement from our Lord lips and is not meant to be taken lightly, indifferently or nonchalantly (indeed, none of Scripture is to be taken as such!). Christ came as God’s Messenger and we are to be our Lord’s messengers. Believers are the Lord’s witnesses to the world and as such should be blameless and spotless so as to shut the mouths of all accusers. Our lives are to reflect our Master just as Jesus reflected His Father. We allow the world much ammunition when we blend and behave as they. It is therefore of utmost importance that we be holy as He is holy. It is to this end that our Lord specifically prays for our sanctification. Peter puts it this way:

14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 2 Peter 3:14 (NIV)




“‘Be ye holy’ is the great and fundamental law of our faith.” Matthew Henry




Paul also tells us in Ephesians we were chosen to be holy and blameless:



3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Eph 1:3-6 (NIV)



“O God within me, give me grace today to recognize the stirrings of Thy Spirit within my soul and to listen most attentively to all that Thou hast to say to me. Let not the noises of the world ever so confuse me that I cannot hear Thee speak. Suffer me never to deceive myself as to the meaning of Thy commands; and so let me in all things obey Thy will, through the grace of Jesus Christ my Lord.” John Baillie

It is the Holy Spirit’s high priority to give believers the guidance and power to be holy – to be set apart – to be sanctified. It is the Spirit’s desire for God to reign in the heart of every believer - to make the kingdom of God the treasure of our hearts. We would do well to remember that while flesh is fully capable of simply falling into sin, we must actively pursue holiness – it does not just happen. Jesus - the Holy One - in our verses for today, states that it was for our sakes He sanctified Himself. The perfect One did not mean He would become more perfect and holy and righteous – how can perfection be made more perfect? The meaning rather refers to His consecration as a Sacrifice and a Priest in order that His disciples may be sanctified by the Truth and made a holy people set apart for God’s specific and eternal uses. Christ ever looks beyond our justification to our sanctification. We are to be wise in the way we live – it matters both presently and eternally. Indeed, this was one principal reason for His sacrificial death. Christ gave Himself to redeem us from wickedness and to purify us for His very own. Paul confirms this in Titus when he writes:



11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:11-14 (NIV)

It is God’s desire therefore for believers in the Lord Jesus to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives – choosing us to be holy in Christ, cleansing us by the washing with water through His Word. This washing or cleansing of rebirth is mentioned in Titus as well:

4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior. Titus 3:4-6 (NIV)

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Cor 5:17 (NIV)



“The true Christian cannot be hid, he cannot escape notice. A man truly living and functioning as a Christian will stand out. He will be like salt; he will be like a city set on a hill, a candle set upon a candlestick. But we can also add this further word. The true Christian does not even desire to hide his light. He sees how ridiculous it is to claim to be a Christian and yet deliberately to try to hide the fact. A man who truly realizes what it means to be a Christian, who realizes all that the grace of God has meant to him and done for him, and understands that, ultimately, God has done this in order that he may influence others, is a man who cannot conceal it. Not only that; he does not desire to conceal it, because he argues thus, ‘Ultimately the object and purpose of it all is that I might be functioning in this way’.” Martin Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount.




What I glean from this:

• I am sent on mission to the world by Jesus.


• I am called to be blameless and holy by living a self-controlled, upright and godly life through the power of the Holy Spirit.


• God uses the Truth of His Word to sanctify me.

Sharing Bread John 17:17

SHARING BREAD

17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.


John 17:17 (NIV)


Here our Lord tells us the means of sanctification in a believer’s life is through the precious Word of God. The word translated “Sanctify” in our verse for today is from the Greek word “Hagiazo” meaning “holy, sacred, devoted to God; to cause to be holy, make holy; the fundamental idea is separation from ordinary or common usage and a devotion to divine service.” Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible – New Testament Lexical Aids. It is our Lord’s desire for us to be holy – just as He is holy. Our lifestyle is not to reflect our former ignorance rather God’s righteous nature. Peter writes:

15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV)

“It is a prayer that the Father would make His people more holy, more spiritual, more pure, more saintly in thought and word and deed, in life and character. Grace had done something for the disciples already, called, converted, renewed, and changed them. The great Head of the Church prays that the work of grace may be carried; higher and further, and that His people may be more thoroughly sanctified and made holy in body, soul, and spirit, in fact more like Himself.” John Charles Ryle

God’s Word is the “Bread in our mouths that becomes the grace in our veins” as Ann Voskamp so eloquently puts it. The Word is both personal and propositional. As we ingest the message of the Truth it changes our hearts and minds resulting in changing our lives. Faithfully appropriating God’s Word, we are set apart or sanctified for God’s work – living to honor Him through our lives. Believers are to be set apart from this world to do the will of God and not the will of Satan. It is not merely sufficient to simply receive the Word rather we are to respond in active obedience. We are to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. James clearly tells us:

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does. James 1:22-25 (NIV)



"Beware of reasoning about God's Word - obey It." Oswald Chambers

We cheat ourselves when we are deceived by our false reasoning’s – indeed, we are the ultimate losers. We flit around as “sermon sippers” never heeding what we hear. A little Truth here, a little Truth there, like hummingbirds we take in small amounts to keep us furiously flitting yet by our lack of appropriation we remain stagnant and a member of the sit, soak and sour club - not high on God’s lists by the way to say the least. More holiness should be the very thing desired by all servants of Jesus. The world cannot evade the evidence of a Godly life. There is also certain freedom in following the Lord. Jesus tells us:

31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32 (NIV)



The road of sanctification is the road to freedom whether we choose to believe this or not – all else is bondage – bondage to sin, bondage to self, bondage to the world’s system. Paul tells us in Galatians:



1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Gal 5:1 (NIV)




Psalm 119 – a glorious psalm regarding God’s Word – tells us:



30 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. 31 I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD; do not let me be put to shame. 32 I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. Psalms 119:30-32 (NIV)




“Freedom is not fun. It is not the same as individual happiness, nor is it security or peace or progress … It is responsible choice. Freedom is not so much right as a duty. Real freedom is not freedom from something; that would be license. It is freedom to choose between doing or not doing something, to act one way or another, to hold one belief or the opposite. It is never a release and always, a responsibility. It is not “fun” but the heaviest burden laid on man; to decide his own individual conduct as well as the conduct of society and to be responsible for both decisions. The only basis of freedom is the Christian concept of man’s nature; imperfect, weak, a sinner, and dust destined into dust; yet made in God’s image and responsible for his actions.” Peter Drucker 1942


What I glean from this:



• God uses His Word to sanctify me.


• I am to be holy through the power of the Holy Spirit.


• I am not to merely listen to God’s Word; I am to do what it says.

Sharing Bread John 17:15-16

SHARING BREAD

15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.


John 17:15-16 (NIV)

I am reminded of a verse contained in the Lord’s great example of prayer when giving a response to His disciple’s query regarding that subject:

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Matt 6:13 (NIV)



Jesus does not desire the believer’s removal from evil and its certain disheartening effects of pain, labor and sorrow. He prays rather for the believer’s protection through it in our verse for today and delivery from it in the verse from Matthew above. Scripture attests to both of these in the lives of the saints. It is a damaging lie from the pit of hell that believer’s in Christ will not suffer in this world. While it is a very appealing notion to believe, it will always come back to bite you quite simply because it is not Truth. In fact, Scripture states the exact opposite – not once but over and over again. The most obvious example being our Lord Jesus – adored and loved Son of God - yet was allowed to suffer greater than any. Indeed, that was the very reason for which He came. Hence we see in our verses for today and the verse in Matthew Jesus praying for both the believer’s protection and the believer’s deliverance while their feet walk this earth.



“The only priority that drives the Master of the vineyard is to bring us to fruitfulness. He will do whatever it takes to make that happen.” Wayne Jacobsen

Protection implies our Lord being with us through our trials and suffering as followers of Christ are most assuredly preserved in the Beloved – Jesus is our security, our constancy and our safe-keeping defense. Scripture also tells us His own are “perfected by suffering”. Satan may destroy the believer’s body but he can never destroy the believer’s soul - praise Jesus! The account of the first Christian martyr Stephen comes to mind and his “safe-keeping” within the stoning:



15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. Acts 6:15 (NIV)



54 When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. Acts 7:54-58 (NIV)




Indeed, they took his body by rocks but on his spirit, no stone was laid. Stephen enters heaven with the face of an angel greeted by Jesus standing on His feet to welcome him home. Certainly no more pain, labor or sorrow for him. Stephen would remain forever in the presence of the Lord.



Delivery implies yet another meaning. Sometimes the Lord chooses to snatch us from evil or drag us away from its grasp. A wonderful example of this found in Scripture shows Peter miraculously freed from prison as an answer to the church’s fervent prayers. We find the story related in Acts:



5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. 6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. 8 Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him. 9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. 11 Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating." Acts 12:5-11 (NIV)

Go had miraculously delivered Peter from the hands of Herod and the Jews rescuing him from their clutches. God had quite literally snatched Peter from evil and drug him away by the angels grasp. The outreach of the Gospel was growing and no opposition would be able to thwart God’s hand – no opposition is ever able to.

10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. Isaiah 46:10 (NIV)



“On Him then reckon, to Him look, on Him depend: and be assured that if you walk with Him, look to Him and expect help from Him, He will never fail you. An older brother, who has known the Lord for forty-four years, who writes this, says for your encouragement that He has never failed him. In the greatest difficulties, in the heaviest trials, in the deepest poverty and necessities, He has never failed me; but because I was enabled by His grace to trust in Him, He has always appeared for my help. I delight in speaking well of His Name.” George Mueller



What I glean from this:



• Jesus does not remove me from the evil of this world or its certain disheartening effects of pain, labor and sorrow. He does however walk with me through them.


• Jesus protects and delivers me from the evil one. Satan may harm my body but never my soul. Jesus is my safe-keeping defense.


• I delight in speaking well of Jesus.

Sharing Bread John 17:14

SHARING BREAD

14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.


John 17:14 (NIV)

Here our Lord gives His guys a “heads-up” to the fact that they, like Him, will experience the hatred and enmity of the wicked in this fallen world. This hatred of the world towards true believers will be found in every generation thereafter as well – we can expect it. The hard of heart and those with calloused spirit will forever condemn and misinterpret the saint. The world’s system hates the true disciple because, quite frankly, they are not a part of it. “Birds of a feather flock together” and there is a certain “honor among thieves” – believers simply do not blend with the system of Satan – nor should they. The high and lofty opinions of the world’s system are the last things a true Christian should expect or desire. James puts it quite forthright when he states:

4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. James 4:4 (NIV)


While we are not to court the world’s enmity – a spirit that is not courteous or kind is certainly unacceptable for a believer as we are to be motivated by the high calling of love – at the same time, we are not to be taken by surprise by their disdain. We are to expect their lack of embracing and consider it as following in the steps both of our Master and saints who have walked before us. Christ and His disciples endured such scoffing and opposition and we as the modern day faithful must endure as well. Jesus had already given His guys a warning regarding this earlier in John:

18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.” John 15:18-21 (NIV)





“Many pretend to be Christians, but they will not endure persecution. Instead of this, they blame others for too much rashness, and not acting prudently enough, to avoid the mockings and hatred of the world. Therefore, they propose to take wiser measures; and, in order to do more good, take great care not to be despised and rejected; but under this pretence of wisdom and prudence, very often lie concealed a dangerous love of the world and fear of man. Be thou nobler minded, live as Christians indeed, and be not ashamed to bear the cross of Christ.” K. H. Von Bogatzky

Believers have a testimony that bears against the world’s practices and opinions. The world feels condemned and hates those who by their living faith condemn it. The more consistent and bold a believer is in his or her words and practices, the sooner they will discover this Truth. Sadly, many of us simply choose to blend with the world’s practices. Indeed, our churches do not look too dissimilar to the world and its shenanigans – statistics prove this to be true. John writes the following warning to us in 1 John regarding our affection towards the world and its seductive influence – we are to continually resist it:

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)



We must remember that this earth is not our home – heaven is. We are journeying through what, Scripture states, will one day all be destroyed. In consideration of this, Peter tells us how we are to live in this world:



10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 2 Peter 3:10-14 (NIV)



“Surely I am doing a work of righteousness, even in the earth. For I say to you, you are not of the world, even though you are in the world. I will wash your feet and cleanse you from the defilement of the way. I will fit you to walk in a path of holiness. I will put away false doctrine, and you shall hear truth. You shall eat the good of the land. You shall flourish and be made fruitful. Because you have sought Me, I will bless you; I will stand in your midst. I will even joy over you with singing.” Frances J. Roberts



What I glean from this:



• I should not be surprised if the world hates me – it is Christ in me that will cause their disdain. Worldly flesh they embrace. If they hated my Master they will hate me as well.


• Scripture tells me that friendship with the world’s ways is hatred towards God. Loving God and loving the world are not compatible.


• No sacrifice I make in following in my Lord’s steps will bring disappointment rather “fullness of joy” in His presence.

Sharing Bread John 17:13

SHARING BREAD

13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.”

John 17:13 (NIV)


I am reminded of King David’s words in Psalm 16:

11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalms 16:11 (NIV)


John the Baptist echoes the same sentiment when he states:

27 To this John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.' 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:27-30 (NIV)



Fullness of joy; complete joy found only in the presence of Jesus. It is a joy quite unlike our circumstantial word “happy” which we find ourselves in a state of when all is favorable to our liking or choosing. The joy Jesus speaks of does not rely on chance or happenstance, people places or things. It does not rely on the Christmas tree or even in the people who gather around it. Its reliance, rather, is set on the Lord Jesus Christ Who never changes like shifting shadows and Who is present in all circumstances. Paul lists joy as the second fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians:



22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Gal 5:22-25 (NIV)


Sadly, believers have the ability to shrink joy in their lives. This occurs when we choose to focus on our circumstances rather than on Christ and we end up becoming a reflection of the world rather than the Lord. Certainly I am not the only one out there who has noticed a myriad of joyless Christians. This should not be! We are certainly the losers when we allow joylessness to occur in our own lives. There is an inward sense of comfort and joy that Christ imparts to believers which no one knows except him who has received it. Scripture tells us:

16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess 5:16-18 (NIV)

God desires for His people to be joyful because of the blessings that are theirs in Christ Jesus. Indeed, the word for “grace” in the Greek means “something that delights” and is at the very heart and hand of God. It is as the great acronym states: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.

“Oh, what joy rises in our souls as we realize that God’s love and mercy are new every morning! Each day is a fresh start, a new chance. Grace washes over us afresh like the morning dew. Great is His faithfulness!”

This is why Paul tells us in Philippians that we are to rejoice in the Lord at all times and then ditto’s it. He is not simply telling us to be happy rather to rejoice in the Lord – what He has done for us, what He is doing for us, and what He continues to do for us. Certainly there are circumstances where we discover our happiness abated yet we can always find joy in the Lord and as Nehemiah stated, it is our strength.

10 Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Neh 8:10 (NIV)



4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Phil 4:4 (NIV)




“We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by ‘looking unto Jesus’. Keep thine eye simply on Him; let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, His intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to Him; when thou liest down at night look to Him. Oh! Let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after Him, and He will never fail thee.” C. H. Spurgeon



What I glean from this:



• There is fullness of joy – complete joy – in the presence of Jesus.


• The believer is given all of God’s riches at Christ’s expense.


• The joy of the Lord is my strength.

Sharing Bread John 17:12

SHARING BREAD

12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.


John 17:12 (NIV)

When Zachariah, the father of John the Baptist prophesized regarding the upcoming birth of the baby Jesus, he used the term “horn of salvation” to signify both our Lord’s coming power and authority. This would have been an unusual term indeed to describe a baby. Seldom do we see powerful and authoritative adjectives accompanying an infant. The term actually referred to the pointed projection that an animal used to attack and defend – the Old Testament using this term to indicate achieving power as well as supreme authority. Luke records Zachariah’s prophecy:

67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: 68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David 70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us”— Luke 1:67-71 (NIV)




Indeed, Jesus came as the “Powerful One” – “the Horn of Salvation” - with power to save, with power to deliver, with power to protect, with power to keep, with power to forgive, with power to defend from the evil one and with the powerful exhaustive riches of divine grace.



“Grace is the grand and only resource for us all. It is the basis of our salvation; the basis of a life of practical godliness; and the basis of those imperishable hopes which animate us amid the trials and conflicts of this sin-stricken world. May we cherish a deeper sense of grace, and more ardent desire for glory!” C H MacIntosh, 1860, Notes on Leviticus

“There are such difficulties in the way of our salvation as could never be overcome but by that grace of God which is almighty. ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God.’ His grace can work on the soul, so as to alter the bent and bias of it, and give it a contrary leaning.” Matthew Henry

When our Lord walked on this earth He was faithful to his discharge. In our verse for today, He states of His faithfulness to this duty. His protection and care of the disciples given to Him was not in vain. While He walked with them He protected them in a visible manner now that He would be leaving, they must be protected in a more spiritual manner so that they would not be left helpless and comfortless. This is true for all believers who walk this earth as well – Christ keeps them through His Name.



“Your Name, is a strong and mighty tower; Your Name, is a shelter like no other; Your Name, let the nations sing it louder; ‘Cause nothing has the power to save – but Your Name.” Paul Baloche and Glenn Packiam

Remember He tells us He does not leave us as orphans – we will not be left comfortless:

18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18 (NIV)




Jesus is acutely aware of our weaknesses, our need of comfort and love. He knows we do not possess the power to protect ourselves from the evil one. Amazingly, believers in the Lord Jesus are valuable and worth protecting in God’s eyes (Hallelujah!). We are His treasures, His jewels and we are in His keeping for salvation – shielded by His great power. Peter tells us:



3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5 (NIV)

Believers are preserved, kept safe through the grace and power and attributes of the Lord Jesus just as He protected His original disciples when He physically walked this earth – not losing one. It is the Father’s will that He lose none.

Lastly, our Lord describes Judas as one He was never undertaken to keep. Judas was given to Jesus but he did not belong to Him. He was neither a slur on our Lord or His family for prophecy stated he was doomed to destruction. What a dreadful thought that one of the apostles desired destruction over the divine. This is certainly a red-flag warning for us as well in that no man’s place or name on a church roster will preserve him form doom if his heart remains estranged from God the Father through Jesus the Son. Judas’ sin had been both foreseen and foretold – Scripture was fulfilled.

“Tomorrow’s history has already been written – at the name of Jesus, every knee must bow.” Paul Kauffman

What I glean from this:

• Jesus came as the “Powerful One” – mighty to save, deliver, protect, keep, forgive, defend, and bestow abundant grace.


• Grace can alter the bent and bias of a soul and give it a contrary leaning – praise God!


• Jesus’ Name is a strong and mighty tower, a shelter like no other and a rock for which I can take refuge. 1 I love you, O LORD, my strength. 2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalms 18:1-2 (NIV)

Sharing Bread John 17:11

SHARING BREAD

11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one.


John 17:11 (NIV)

Over and over again Scripture tells us just how much Jesus loved His little band of believers. In our verse for today we are shown how He tenderly cares for His people by remembering their weak positions here on earth and makes intercession for their need of both safety and comfort. Christ’s intercession is always lovingly pertinent being fully acquainted with all the particulars of our needs. Weakness was their present position therefore preservation was what He petitioned. Earlier in John we discover the demonstration of Christ’s love through His servant-like actions towards His disciples:

1 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. John 13:1 (NIV)




“For the love of God is broader than the measures of man’s mind; and the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.” Frederick William Faber


Now, we discover His demonstration of love through His petition to the Holy Father. Surely our all seeing Savior knew the condition of the hearts of His guys. He must have detected the disciple’s impatient desire to dump the world in lieu of the divine dwelling of heaven. They were weak in strength, surrounded by enemies and few in number. In view of their knowledge of the Lord’s imminent departure, it would certainly not be a stretch to think they would prefer to be released from the scene of conflict and enjoy the comforts of the presence of their Master in their heavenly home. The prospect of being left without His presence sent shivers up their spines. They were about to be orphans, thinking they were going to be left with only their meager resources amidst a cold, wicked and persecuting world. Even the great warrior King David wrote:



6 I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest”-- Psalms 55:6 (NIV)




Through these recorded Words of our Lord Jesus we are taught the great lesson that He thinks it better for His people to remain in the world and be kept from evil than to be taken out and removed from the presence of evil altogether. It is His great desire that we should take up our crosses rather than flee from them. The disciples were to be lights – just as He had been - for this dark world as a reflection of His glory. He would not have them removed out of it especially for those who would come to believe in Him through their message. The same is true for modern day believers as well. How indeed could believers do any good for the world if they were snatched up to heaven immediately after conversion? How could they exhibit the power of grace or the proof of faith? It is not yet time for the wedding feast of the Lamb. Not all are in the fold.

“He asks that they may be kept and preserved from evil, from falling away, from false doctrine, from being overcome by temptation, from being crushed by persecution, from every device and assault of the devil. Danger was around them on every side. Weakness was their present characteristic. Preservation was what He asked.” John Charles Ryle




Our Lord asks that they (and every subsequent believer) be preserved through the grace, power and attributes of God the Father. Not that they may be kept from conflict but that they may not be overcome by it. It is an unspeakable comfort to know Christ has committed His believers to the Father’s ever watchful care. Those cannot be safe whom the Almighty Father does not keep and He keeps those whom the Son He loves commits to Him by placing them under divine protection. God’s power is needful to both put us in a state of grace and to keep us there.



9 For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chron 16:9 (NIV)



13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Cor 10:13 (NIV)



“God wills that you sanctify the world and your everyday life.” Vincent Pallotti



The righteous are to turn to the Name of the Lord – His revealed character - for refuge - those who are concerned for the glory of His great Name rather than interest in promoting their own. We discover the following Truth in Proverbs:



10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Prov 18:10 (NIV)




7 The path of the righteous is level; O upright One, you make the way of the righteous smooth. Isaiah 26:7 (NIV)




What I glean from this:



• The heart of Jesus is loving and most wonderfully kind.


• Jesus is my Great High Priest who prays for my protection from the evil one.


• Through His intercession He places me in the safety of God’s Almighty hands. "Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders." Deut 33:12 (NIV)

Sharing Bread John 17:10

SHARING BREAD

10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.


John 17:10 (NIV)


In our verse for today Jesus reveals His unity, equality and intimacy with the Father. They are One in both essence and interest. In the past God had dwelt among the Israelites displaying His glory and splendor in various ways. He had led them on their travels through the desert by the great pillar of cloud by day and by the great pillar of fire by night – ever accompanying them with His presence on their way. God had displayed His glory as well through a myriad of miracles as wide and varied as the parting the Red Sea to the subduing of the lion’s in their den. We find in Exodus:

21 By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. Ex 13:21-22 (NIV)




We find in Daniel the following miraculous account:



19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions' den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?" 21 Daniel answered, "O king, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king." 23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. Dan 6:19-23 (NIV)


“Miracles are the great bell of the universe, which draws men to God’s sermon.” John Foster

“Every miracle always begins with the first ordinary step of faithfulness.” Ann Voskamp

In our verse for today, Jesus tells us, the glory of God was now displayed in Him as He physically came to “tabernacle” among His people in human form. There was a unique splendor and honor seen in Jesus’ life and miracles as well as in His death and resurrection. Furthermore, Christ’s disciples glorified Him – what little honor Christ had in this world while His feet walked this dusty earth was among His small band of believers. He was glorified in them through their faith, through their obedience and through their love – just as our Lord continues to be with every subsequent faithful follower. At a time when a vast majority of their countrymen hated the Master, they honored Him and loved Him and thereby brought Him much glory therefore He now was going to make special intercession for them. John confirms this in the beginning of his gospel:

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (NIV)





Peter also states His confirmation:



16 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 2 Peter 1:16-18 (NIV)




Presently, in the Church Age in which we are a part, both the Holy Spirit glorifies the Son as well as believers who seek to manifest their love and obedience to Him through the Spirit’s power. Believers are to be oaks of righteousness for the display of His splendor. Yet, we can take heart in our failings that even the weakest faith and love to Christ will bring Him some glory and is never overlooked by our loving Master. John writes earlier in his gospel:



13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you. John 16:13-15 (NIV)

Paul adding in Ephesians:



11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory. Eph 1:11-14 (NIV)



What I glean from this:



• God had displayed His glory to the Israelites through His presence in the cloud and fire and through His vast and varied miracles – not to mention all of creation.


• Jesus displayed His glory through His physical presence on earth and His miracles.


• Through the Holy Spirit - who glorifies the Son – I am to bring Jesus glory through my life of love and obedience to Him which will flesh out by loving others.

Sharing Bread John 17:9

SHARING BREAD

9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.


John 17:9 (NIV)

We learn in our verse for today that our Lord Jesus does things for His believing people which He does not do for the unbelieving – He aids their souls through special intercession. We will discover later that He prays for both the protection and the sanctification of the believer. Indeed, Hebrews tells us our great High Priest lives to intercede for us:

24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Heb 7:24-25 (NIV)

This special intercession of our Savior is one grand secret of the believer’s safety – we are daily under the watchful eye of the One who never slumbers nor sleeps and never ceases to pray. The true servant of Jesus should lean on and take comfort in this Truth set before us as it is a treasure for Christ’s followers and ought to be well known among the saints. The psalmist proclaims:

3 He will not let your foot slip--he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalms 121:3-4 (NIV)

The unbelieving world neither needs to be preserved in its rebellion nor sanctified in its unbelieving state. The doctrine set before us is one that is especially hated by the world as it stirs up a bitter offence. The idea that God would make any distinction between men is objectionable to them in the highest degree. Yet the world’s objections to this doctrine are unreasonable and weak. With but little reflection one can discover the special intercession Christ has for His saints to be found reasonable. Surely a God that would consider the righteous and the unrighteous, the holy and the unholy, the good and the evil no different would be a strange God indeed! The special intercession by Jesus for the benefit of believers is both agreeable to reason and common sense. It is true - on the one hand - we must guard this Scriptural Truth carefully so as not to narrow the love of Christ towards sinners yet, on the other hand, we must neither make it too broad. It is abundantly true Jesus loves sinners but it is also true that He has a special affection for the faithful whom He both sanctifies and glorifies.

16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." John 3:16-21 (NIV)

“I will give place to no one in maintaining that Jesus loves all mankind, came into the world for all, died for all, provided redemption sufficient for all, calls on all, invites all, commands all to repent and believe; and ought to be offered to all - freely, fully, unreservedly, directly, unconditionally – without money and without price. If I did not hold this, I dare not get into a pulpit, and I should not understand how to preach the Gospel. But while I hold this, I maintain firmly that Jesus does special work for those who believe, which He does not do for others. He quickens them by His Spirit, calls them by His grace, washes them in His blood – justifies them, sanctifies them, keeps them, leads them, and continually intercedes for them – that they may not fall. If I did not believe all this, I should be a very miserable, unhappy Christian.” John Charles Ryle

“God's mercy is vast and beyond our comprehension. He will never reject anyone who turns to Him for mercy. Nor will He force Himself on anyone who chooses to live without Him.”  Michael Youssef

Lastly, Jesus again states His disciples were given to Him by the Father to teach them and feed them and save them. He alone would be able to keep them standing even after His departure from the earth. They would be able to stand because there was (and is) One in heaven actively and effectually interceding for them causing them to stand just as He has continued (and continues) to do for every believer thereafter. Paul tells us in Romans:

4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. Romans 14:4 (NIV)



“With God, the honeymoon never ends.” John Piper

What I glean from this:



• Scripture tells me Jesus does special things for His followers that He does not do for the unbelieving world.


• Jesus lives to intercede for me – praise Him!


• God loves the world and desires for all to come to Him through His Son.

Sharing Bread John 17:6-8

SHARING BREAD

6 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.”


John 17:6-8 (NIV)

We are privileged indeed to read the Words of intercession spoken by One Person of the blessed Trinity to Another. We must surely be prepared to discover things in this prayer our finite minds cannot fully comprehend or understand – expressions likely no one has ever completely unfolded. Yet, there are great Truths which do stand out clearly and plainly and for which would behoove us to direct our full attention. In our verses for today we discover and should embrace the glorious Truth that Jesus, God the Son, came on mission to reveal God the Father to man. A right knowledge of God the Father was the first thing Jesus sought to teach His disciples. Every revelation we are given demands of us a choice. Jesus’ guys were given revelation and Words sent directly from the Father to them and furthermore, Jesus states, they obeyed.

23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.” John 14:23-24 (NIV)



“Every revelation of God is a demand, and the way to knowledge of God is by obedience.” William Temple

18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known. John 1:18 (NIV)



Certainly they were not perfect (which gives us all hope) yet their Master lovingly here commends their faith. How like sweet Jesus to be the loving encourager! They had received our Lord’s Words and believed with certainty He was sent from the Father – assured His mission was divine. They had hearing ears as well as attentive hearts diligently seeking – though often failing – to obey His message. Practical obedience is the first great test of a genuine disciple of the Lord Jesus.

“These are wonderful words when we consider the character of the eleven men to whom they were applied. How weak was their faith! How slender their knowledge! How shallow their spiritual attainments! How faint their hearts in the hour of danger! Yet a very little time after Jesus spoke these words they all forsook Him and fled, and one of them denied Him three times with an oath. No one, in short, can read the four Gospels with attention, and fail to see that never had a great master such weak servants as Jesus had in the eleven apostles. Yet these very weak servants were the men of whom the gracious Head of the Church speaks here in high and honorable terms.” John Charles Ryle

5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" 6 He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.” Luke 17:5-6 (NIV)




18 Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches.” Luke 13:18-19 (NIV)



Considering the immensely difficult position of the disciples and the great opposition they faced, it was no light matter that they believed at all. Our Lord takes their mustard seed of faith and bends down here to fan it into flames. Jesus never despises weak grace yet honors sincerity of faith and heart be it ever so small. Surely believers will make a better appearance in heaven than on earth!



9 For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chron 16:9 (NIV)



“The grace of God does not find men fit for salvation, but makes them so.” Augustine

What I glean from this:



• It is a great privilege for me to read the Words prayed by Jesus to His Father.


• Practical obedience is the first great test of a genuine disciple of Jesus.


• Jesus is the great Encourager!

Sharing Bread John 17:4-5

SHARING BREAD

4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.


John 17:4-5 (NIV)


In our verses for today, Jesus teaches us by His Word and through His perfect example that our obedience in the completion of the works the Father has called us to do will ultimately bring God much glory. Christ left no work undone for which He came to earth on mission to fulfill - always glorifying the Father by His perfect unvarying holiness. Indeed, when Jesus approached John the Baptist to be baptized by him and the Baptist objected He gives this as a reason:

15 Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. Matt 3:15 (NIV)

He had kept the Law perfectly so that even the adversary could find no blemish in Him. By so keeping the law, Jesus brought everlasting righteousness for all who would believe in Him. Our Lord had at last completed His redemptive work which God had sent Him to accomplish – His death and resurrection being so near that for all intents and purposes He considered them as finished. Christ accomplished what the first Adam and all his offspring thereafter failed miserably to do. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians:

21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Cor 5:21 (NIV)

God has prepared a path of good works for every follower of Christ which He will perform in and through the believer as they walk by faith in them. Our obedience in this faith walk to complete His works ultimately brings God glory. God’s work done in God’s way by His saints who are willing and faithful to do His bidding will never lack His powerful supply. He will not leave us as orphans to muster up our own strength, power and determination to do His will. Neither has He left us here after our conversions to merely wallow in self indulgence and entertain ourselves to death. We have a higher and grander purpose and calling and until we discover that, we will always be found wanting. When we willingly seek to bring God glory rather than striving for it ourselves, we will discover a deep satisfaction and peace.

“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” John Piper

Remember, too, it is only through His power that the eternal works He has prepared in advance for us to do are accomplished. Paul writes in both Ephesians and Philippians:

10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph 2:10 (NIV)



12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Phil 2:12-13 (NIV)




Another word our Lord states in our passage for today which stands out and hits me between the eyes is “completing”. The word itself is translated from the Greek word “Teleioo” meaning “complete, mature; to complete by reaching the intended goal, cause to be concluded, bring to a resolution; caused to be realized, finish a work or duty, bring to a state of complete fulfillment.” Hebrew - Greek Key Word Study Bible – New Testament Lexical Aids. It would seem we live in a day and age where goals and completion of them are not held in high esteem. A cursory glance at most of our unfinished plans and projects attests to this not to mention the broken relationships we appear to not value enough to seek to mend. We desire everything instantaneously – preferably without any sweat of our brow at all. Yet Jesus sweat drops of blood….hmmm….that must mean we are called to a completion of higher and harder works as well. Yet it would appear when things get the least bit difficult we do not consider this. We often abort and abandon rather than persevere and produce through His power. We choose to leave undone a work in progress or to flee an unmended relationship when things get the least bit difficult. These actions bring God no glory. Scripture tells us as believers:



6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 (NIV)



“Perfection, in a Christian sense, means becoming mature enough to give ourselves to others.” Kathleen Norris

“Men think that glory lies in being exalted over others –Christ…stooped when He conquered.” Charles Spurgeon

Lastly, we see from Jesus’ Words that His glory with the Father is from eternity – He came from glory and was returning to glory. Christ undertook the work of redemption not because He needed glory but because we needed it. He divested Himself of His glory in the flesh and resumed His glory in His exalted state bringing God much glory in the process.



“Thus we must be taught that those, and only those who glorify God on earth shall be glorified with the Father, when they must be no more in this world.” Matthew Henry



What I glean from this:



• My obedience to complete the works the Father has prepared for me to do through His power will bring God much glory.


• Jesus came to fulfill all righteousness – living the perfect life to be the sinless sacrifice for my sins.


• God desires for me to mature in Him - completion is important in all things.

Sharing Bread John 17:2-3

SHARING BREAD

2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.


John 17:2-3 (NIV)

I am reminded of our Lord’s parting words to His followers recorded in Matthew. It was there Jesus stated He had been given all authority in heaven and on earth - the official right or power - and therefore instructed His disciples to “Go” based on that authority. Christ’s right to rule is incontestable. Over this vast and sinful race, the Lord Jesus has been entrusted with all authority and all judgments. His disciples were simply to teach others what they had been taught by their Master –through the Holy Spirit’s power - evangelizing and enlisting others - all accomplished in and by His authority. He commanded and empowered them to make disciples of all nations and thereby saving souls. He bestowed the gift of eternal life on all who would believe on His Name:

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt 28:18-20 (NIV)




“The people of God are to model the new heaven and new earth, and by so doing awaken longings for what God will bring to pass.” Philip Yancey

Interestingly, Daniel had clearly and rightly prophesized regarding the Lord Jesus’ authority as well:

13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” Dan 7:13-14 (NIV)


We must remember that when we read of the Father giving power to the Son it is not as of the giving of a superior to an inferior rather it signifies the arrangements in the everlasting counsels of the Trinity. The intentions and purposes of this authority were to lead many men to the saving of their souls that they may have eternal life with God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit. Simply, Christ’s dominion over the children of men is intended to bring salvation to the children of God. The knowledge of God and of His Christ will lead fallen man to life eternal – it is, Scripture states, the way to heaven. John writes in Revelation:

15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever." Rev 11:15 (NIV)

This knowledge is more than mere head knowledge alone – the demons believe and tremble. No, this knowledge is one which dwells in the heart and influences the life. To know something at the heart level will direct our eyes and our tongues and our hands and our goings. We will act on what we truly know and believe. A true saint knows God – His holiness, His purity, His hatred of sin – as well as he knows Christ – His redemption, His love of sinners and His mediator role between God and man. To know God without Christ is to know a consuming fire and fill us with fear. To know Christ without God, we will not truly value what the Savior has done on our behalf and see little meaning in His cross or passion which, I might add is everything.

“To know God without Christ is not to know Him savingly.” Newton

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NIV)




Oftentimes our knowledge of God and His Christ are merely fabrications of our own deluded thinking. We presume upon the great “I AM” our likes or dislikes, our wants or want not’s, our definitions of what is acceptable in our own minds for God to do or not to do or to be or not to be. We can make an idol out of our misconception of Jehovah that has nothing to do with the God of Scripture and quite frankly, we get rather ill when He does not fall into our neat little way of thinking or our plans. Shame on us! I am reminded of Paul’s words in Romans:



19 One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?" 0 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'" 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? 22 What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath--prepared for destruction? 23 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory-- 24 even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? 25 As he says in Hosea: "I will call them 'my people' who are not my people; and I will call her 'my loved one' who is not my loved one," Romans 9:19-25 (NIV)


“Scripture permits us to broaden the definition of idolatry so that includes anything on which we set our affections and indulge as an excessive and sinful attachment. Therefore, the idols that we can see are certainly not the whole problem. Idolatry includes anything we worship: the lust for pleasure, respect, love, power, control, or freedom from pain. Futhermore, the problem is not outside of us….the problem is in us….the heart’s instinctive plotting in this idol construction is amazing. We know we are called to imitate God. This means we are to live for His glory, not our own. We are to make Him famous, not ourselves….the purpose of all idolatry is to manipulate the idol for our own benefit…..but (we) need the power of God, the message of Christ crucified and risen. Other therapies can offer sobriety, but only this good news is powerful enough to liberate the soul.” Ed Welch, Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave




What I glean from this:

• Jesus has been given all authority and He tells me to “Go” make disciples based on His authority.


• Eternal life is to know the God of the Bible and His Christ.


• I can make an idol out of my own feeble ideas of God rather than the Truth regarding Him in Scripture.