Dearest e-votees-
Day seventy-seven of our cover to cover voyage through the Bible. We are now done with John. (43 down, 23 to go) If you want to see the readings for our trip through the Bible you can follow this link:
Peace,
Karl
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Day 77 Readings: John 15:18-Acts 6:7
Included in today's reading is Jesus' prayer for unity among the believers. John 17 records Jesus praying immediately prior to his arrest. He prays for his disciples but then he goes on to expand to pray for those "who will believe in me through their message" which would be all of us. Jesus, God incarnate, prays for us.
Jesus doesn't pray that we would be wealthy or particularly healthy or that we would have ever desire of our hearts. Jesus prays that we would be one with other believers. I am sure his prayer for protection from the evil one for the disciples would apply to us as well. But that is the prayer. Jesus does not pray for the things we so typically pray but for us to be safe and to be one.
The prayer for safety is one we would all generally accept. The prayer for unity might be a different matter. We don't get to pick who follows Jesus and who is acceptable to Jesus. If we grant Jesus' prayer for unity then we are accepting whoever Jesus might choose to accept as one with us. That has proven difficult over the years as demonstrated by wars, denominational rifts and family feuds. But THAT IS Jesus' prayer. The last words he uttered before his passion began in earnest in the gospel of John.
God, thank you for making yourself known to us through Jesus. Protect us from the evil one and grant that we may live into the unity Jesus desires. Amen.
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