Hi my dears
You might notice that we have been finding treasures in Jesus prayers. Today’s Holy Nougat takes us almost full circle (although we will explore some more) as Jesus speaks with God about the disciples.
“While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name that You have given Me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.”
John 17:12 TLV
A few days ago, we noted that Jesus spent an entire night in prayer Prior to the selection of the disciples (emissaries). We noted that they were imperfect, and observed that although not all are called to formal ambassadorship, as followers of Jesus, there is a sense in which our actions are used to judge Christianity. And we were reassured that He Who ought to condemn us when we mess up, ie Jesus, is actually interceding for us in those moments.
Now we note that while preparing for execution by whipping and eventual hanging like a hardened criminal (which He wasn’t), or an enemy of the state (which He was, because of His message of an alternative community); Jesus’ thoughts was focused on the handing over of His ministry. I find this very significant as Jesus had just predicted that the disciple would soon separate themselves from Jesus. Judas was certainly gone, sold out to an ideology that cost him his life. Yet Jesus believed in the eleven enough to remind God that Not One was lost!
Prophesy or prophe-lie?
For certain it was a promise for you and me. That the Christ Who prayed for the ‘Disappointing Disciples’ is not likely (actually WON’T) give up on you and me! Like does not.
So we CANNOT give up on ourselves. Not even when this season feels interminable and it seems we can’t figure life out. We can’t give up on ourselves. And, when others (and the mirror) try to remind us of our past mistakes; PUT THE BRAKES ON and focus in Faith on Christ’s prayer for us.
Of course, it also means that if we have given a problem over to God (or more appropriately a person or situation), for God’s intervention; as long as we have been faithful in our responsibility; it’s God’s turn. God knows who/what qualifies as the ‘son of destruction’; and since we don’t, we cannot write them off Without God’s permission. So double check that we’ve guarded and kept; and listen carefully for God’s Word before signing off on what seems untenable.
And in the meantime; we pray …
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
