Go
Saints!

Friday
March 29th, 2024
L&T Opinions Page

gary damronMY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

 

Last week we wrote on intercessory prayer, how it’s possible for believers to take part in connecting God and people. The lessons learned on intercession came from Jesus who, from the moment he arrived as a baby, served as Mediator, Advocate and Intercessor. 

Many can recite from memory the Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew chapter 6, after the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. The longest prayer by Jesus, however, is in John chapter 17. It was spoken out loud and recorded for us by those closest to him. Samuel Young wrote, “Prayer reveals the inner and true nature of our religious life.” 

Jesus’ prayer began, “‘Father, the hour has come’” (John 17:1). Last weekend we drove to Lubbock for the wedding of two friends who had been widowed and later were reacquainted with each other. Before 11 o’clock on Saturday, each of them was still a single person. But after that hour, they embarked on their new adventures as a couple. A number of times, Jesus had told his disciples, “My hour has not yet come” but now – beginning with the first verse in John 17 - things are different! 

The four Gospel writers all gave accounts of the last week of Jesus’ life. So much meaning can be found in each word, and the central theme of Jesus’ recorded prayer seems to be, “Father, you sent me, so they can know God.” John chapter 16 outlined his victory over sin and death, then chapters 18 through 20 revealed how the victory was won. A passage later in the Bible summarizes the entire journey. “For the joy set before him he [Jesus] endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). 

The first word of Jesus’ prayer was “Father”. His entire life he’d made a habit of praying, in secret and in public, and the term showed the ease of access as well as his confident approach to the Lord of the universe. Jesus repeated the word, adding “Holy Father” in verse 11, and in verse 25, “Righteous Father”. 

There were four things that Jesus told us would happen when he reached this hour. First, he glorified the Father (verse 4). The Incarnation, God coming to earth as a man, had already been a success as, one by one, followers of Jesus recognized the plan set in place from the time of Creation. John the beloved disciple wrote, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). 

A second happening from Jesus’ hour was that he finished, or accomplished, the work (verse 5). The Greek word is the same used when Jesus cried out from the cross, “‘It is finished!’” (John 19:30). His work of redemption saved those who stood beneath the cross, and any through the ages who have believed on his name. 

Third, he manifested, or made known, the name of God to any who would listen (verse 6). Jesus showed that we no longer need to fear calling on God. George Strait lyrics are, "Let me tell you a secret about a father's love – … daddies don't just love their children every now and then - it's a love without end, amen.” Fear and awe of God are understandable; learning to think of him as our “Abba” or “Daddy” is possible through Jesus’ prayer. 

Finally, Jesus “kept the word” and passed on the Living Word to his followers. Before he was stoned to death, Stephen told the Sanhedrin, “‘He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us’” (Acts 7:38). Remember again the verse, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). 

More than obeying the Law, those who “keep the word” will guard, share and spread the testimony entrusted to us. As a circle widens when a stone hits the water, the Word extends across borders, through cultural differences, and returns in the form of blessings to those who shared it initially. 

The prayer of Jesus continues on in John chapter 17, including words of intercession for his disciples and even for us in the 21st century. Next week we’ll look at three requests Jesus made on our behalf. 

LETTER TO THE EDITOR, Reita Isaacs, Liberal

 

From the time I found the subject for my next article [ ... ]

Read more...

MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

 

With Easter approaching, millions around the world will celebrate [ ... ]

Read more...