John 17: The Heart of Jesus
The prayer Jesus taught his disciples to pray, in Matthew 6, is often called "The Lord's Prayer." That is our prayer, a model prayer for us to pattern our prayer lives after. It is John 17 that is truly the Lord's Prayer, the one that shows the heart of our Savior. In it, he pours out his soul to the Father the night before his death and shows us that which he cares most about.Do you have a prayer list, a guide to those requests you make regularly to God? In this chapter, we see Jesus' prayer list, what was on his heart, what he prayed for regularly.
Through the Bible Readings: Isaiah 6, 1 Corinthians 1:1–17, Psalm 102:17–23, Proverbs21:16–18
What do you think of when you hear the word holy? Perhaps you imagine some kind of unique Christian saint who lives just a notch or two above the rest of us. Some would see a person who dresses a certain way and conforms to a list of rules - the more rules the holier. Some people present themselves as "holier than thou" by thinking themselves as better than others.
It is recommended that you read the entire prayer each day this week. We will examine a highlight each day.
Today's Reading: John 17 (Focus - John 17:17)
John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth
Through the Bible Readings: Isaiah 6, 1 Corinthians 1:1–17, Psalm 102:17–23, Proverbs21:16–18
If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.
Devotional: God's Sanctifying Word
What do you think of when you hear the word holy? Perhaps you imagine some kind of unique Christian saint who lives just a notch or two above the rest of us. Some would see a person who dresses a certain way and conforms to a list of rules - the more rules the holier. Some people present themselves as "holier than thou" by thinking themselves as better than others.
What is holiness, true, biblical holiness? The concept in the Old Testament, picked up for the New Testament, being set aside for God's use. Those things that were set apart for temple use were holy. Things that were holy were devoted to God and his service and were not to be used for mundance things.
Imagine 10 clay pots, simple clay pots designed to hold water. One of these is selected from among the others and is set apart to be used in the temple. Once it is consecrated, or sanctified for God's use in the temple, it may never again be used for purposes other than God's. That which is holy is God's and God's alone.
Jesus prayed that his followers would be "sanctified" - made holy, set apart for the service of God. His ultimate desire is that we be called out of this sinful and world and set apart for God's service - God's and God's alone.
How can sinful people such as we are be sanctified? By the truth. Satan has sown this world with his lies which deceive so many into making wrong choices and committing sin - living in unholiness, living for this world. What is the correction for lies? Truth. We are set apart for God's work by having Satan's lies replaced by God's truth.
Where does truth come from? "Your word is truth." It is in the word of God that we learn the things of God. The Holy Spirit uses God's word to set us apart for himself, to make us holy.
Father, make me holy by your word and its sanctifying, purifying power.
Think and Pray:
Is your life being lived for the things of this world or are you set apart for God?
Are you devoting yourself to the sanctifying word of God?
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