I Am Praying For Them (John 17:9)

 


Thursday, April 17, 2025


Psalm 55

Exodus 24:1-11

John 17


Observance: Maundy Thursday


I Am Praying For Them (John 17:9)


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


In this chapter of John’s Gospel we have an insight into how the Godhead talks about us. When God the Son and God the Father commune with one another and discuss what is happening, and the topic moves to us and our considerations, this is how they speak: they speak of love.


Consider that we are actually thought about in the first place! Jesus speaks of being glorified in the presence of the Father in the glory he had before the world existed – and yet he is also thinking about us. Just as the Father and the Son are one in glory and majesty and holiness, he prays for us. We who are so far from being one, let alone having any glory or majesty or holiness.


Not only are we on God’s mind, we are thought of highly. So highly, in fact, he claims ownership of us. He who was before the world existed calls us his own.


And as his own, the glory of the Father, given to the Son, has been given to us. Why would God condescend to share his glory with people like us? So that we may be one with him, just as the Father and the Son are one. He wants to show us all the wonders of God; Jesus desires that we may be where he is, to see the glory that was given him before the foundation of the world.


It is almost like a fairy tale. And yet it is true. We live in the world, yet not of the world, because we are moving towards the Celestial City. As one of Christ’s own, we hold an honour that lifts even the poorest beggar’s head proudly. Yet Christ’s glorification comes at the price of his own blood, which is required because of the low estate from which he is lifting us. And then we keep returning to Jesus’ own words, repeated often and loudly: God really does love us that much.


Do you ask other Christians to pray for you? Have you ever asked Jesus to pray for you? What does it mean for Jesus to be praying for us?


God of glory, whose glory is from before the foundation of the world: pray for us, that your word might be fulfilled, and that we might see your glory in its complete and brilliant radiance.

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