Jesus Prays for Me and You

Have you read John 17 lately?  If not, do so, and reflect with me here.  Picture it.

Before his betrayal and arrest, Jesus prayed his longest recorded prayer.  He first briefly prayed for himself.  His eyes penetrated the sky above in unassuming authority, the disciples nearby observed; Jesus raised his voice and reminded the Father of his imminent purpose.  Christ’s humble mission was about to be fulfilled.  Through Jesus’ death, all believers would gain eternal life.   His work on earth was soon to be completed. 

Jesus’ prayer then centered on those who would benefit from His purpose, those whom the Father had given him, his disciples.  They were the Father’s gift to the Son.  The disciples had been equipped, they had accepted God’s words, and they believed in Jesus’ divinity.  They finally understood the Father was at work.  And Jesus says, “I pray for them…” (Verse 9)  They were to remain in the world and Jesus’ plea is for their protection and unity.  As Jesus had been sent by the Father, Jesus now sent them into the world.  It is on earth that our work is done for the cause of Christ, and the disciples were commissioned to chart the course that would transform the world. 

Submissively poised, Jesus continued, reaching deeper into eternity’s purpose.  He prayed for me and you.  As his eyes seemed lost in the expanse above, generations beyond his present surroundings became crystal clear.  Multitudes would eternally benefit and gain the holy inheritance of salvation.  Jesus’ eyes became fixed and determined.  Our lives were in full view.      

 “My prayer is not for them alone.  I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.  May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (Verses 20-21) 

I wonder if Jesus’s voice broke with emotion as he thought of the generations to come.  Or possibly, a tender smile and twinkle in his eyes revealed his loving countenance.  Maybe he thought of me and pictured my worship at the throne of grace. Maybe he saw the pain I would endure on the earth, yet observed his glory shining through my life as I trusted him in the pain.  His mission on earth had come to an end, yet eternity’s conversion was just beginning, and we were on his heart.

I am thankful today that I have been a beneficiary of an ancient prayer, an eternal purpose, and a divine encounter with the One whose thoughts dwell on my life every moment.  May I have such purpose in life as to pray as Jesus prayed; for God’s purposes to be proclaimed in me and to generations to come.  May my gaze into heaven be steady, resolved, unwavering, and meek.  May I see as Jesus sees; generations needy of a loving Savior.

Thank you, Jesus, for praying for me.  I have always been and will always be your treasure.  May I continue to cultivate trust in your tender, loving, faithful, and penetrating gaze upon me.