Nougat 3

Hello

It’s World Communion Sunday. Celebrated the first Sunday in October as time when many believers around the world stop to celebrate the gift of fellowship. We set aside time to look at what, rather Who, keeps us United in fellowship. Most churches commemorate this by praying with and for other believers around the world. Here’s today’s Holy Nougat

“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message …

I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John‬ ‭17:15, 20, 23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus’ High Priestly prayer, offered in John 17, is an extension of the Prayer taught to the disciples, albeit under far different circumstances. Whereas the Lord’s Prayer, as it is commonly known, provides a basic format for prayer; the High Priestly Prayer tells us What He prayed. And it is worth noting that this was Jesus’ prayer just before He was arrested. He KNEW His time had come, yet Jesus’ priority was for the disciples AND also for all who believe in Him.

We note from the Nougat that Jesus’ priority was NOT that we who believe may escape tribulations, trials or ‘crosses’. Rather He opted to ask for Protection from the evil one. For me, this resonates with Matthew 6:13, the last petition in the Lord’s Prayer. In asking for Protection, Jesus confirms that evil WILL come; BUT He sought to help us endure.

• Let us pray for those facing trials of all kinds; for strength to endure

Additionally, the Nougat says Jesus was intentional in praying for ALL Believers – including those who would seek Him After His Resurrection. That’s you and me! As well as every and any one else who calls, has called, and will call on His name in Faith.

• Let us pray for every believer who calls upon the name of Jesus by faith; that we waver not.

The last bit of the Nougat is framed a bit differently than the rest of the Prayer. (I confess to being challenged to explain it until one commentary referenced Jesus’ Vine sermon). Jesus speaks to a unity that is as spiritual as it is Trinitarian. He refers to Himself being IN the disciples (ie the believers), and God being IN Him. I find that the only way I can conceive it is that God’s Spirit keeps everyone and every thing together. Now Jesus didn’t pray for Consensus, He prayed for Unity by way of the Spirit. He did not pray for Uniformity; rather Jesus prayed about His ‘DNA’ being within the disciples (and us by extension) AND of God being IN Him. I would think we know this doesn’t make us gods, but that it makes us God’s own.

• Let us be in prayer for God’s Word and Spirit to dwell in us richly (Colossians 3:16).

Lastly, the Nougat cites Jesus praying for the visible unity of the disciples. Because we know what happened next, it might seem redundant. However, when we think of the different personalities that comprised The Twelve, the Seventy and the Women around Jesus … we realize the earnestness of Jesus’ ask. Some might argue that that was the most difficult of all Jesus’ requests. For, it is the Unity that bears witness (gives testimony to) of the Unity of the Trinity (between Jesus, YHWH, and God’s Spirit). The energy we expend for doctrinal differences can be better used to celebrate God’s Spirit IN us who believe.

• Let us pray for the Visible Unity of the Church that we may indeed bear witness of Jesus’ unity with God and God’s Spirit

I further pray that God’s Peace be with each of us who calls upon the name of Jesus in all we do and encounter today and for all time. Amen

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May all we seek be found in Christ