Read and believe in Jesus

“And this is eternal life, that they know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 15.3

The Gospel according to John

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REVIEW – Jesus seemed to speak in riddles to the disciples. “In a little while” this, and in another “little while” that. Some of the disciples asked, “What does He mean?” and “What is He talking about?” Jesus had already referred to His death and resurrection, when they would be sad, but the world would rejoice, and then the opposite when He lived again. But now Jesus tells them about a longer period without Him, for He would be returning to Heaven to His Father. BUT! He would send the Holy Spirit in His place, who would be in them ALL, to help, teach, comfort, and empower. He assured them that their joy would be full! And He WOULD return!

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John 17:1-5.

And then the teaching was finished, and Jesus lifted His eyes to Heaven to pray. He knew their hearts and minds were in turmoil, and He wanted to pray for them. He began by speaking to His Father in an intimate communion of mutual knowledge and praise.

“Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, since You have given Him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom You have given Him.

“And this is eternal life, that they know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

“I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work that You gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in Your own presence with the glory that I had with You before the world existed.”

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Such intimate prayer between Father and Son. It makes me want to kneel and bow in their presence.

You can feel the bond that they had before the world was created, united as One in the pre-knowledge of the Fall and man’s separation. They were also united in one plan: the redemption of mankind through the willing sacrifice of the Son, and the grace and mercy of the Father as He chose His redeemed and drew them to the Savior, with the Holy Spirit convicting and giving the needed faith.

You can also feel Jesus’ eagerness to be back with His Father. And so, “for the joy set before Him, He would endure the cross” and all that led up to it.

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Jesus’ prayer will continue in the next reading.