It is humbling to know that Jesus prayed for me and all believers just before He was arrested and sent to the cross. He spent an important time in prayer, with the stress of the crucifiction coming, to talk to God about what he was going to accomplish and the weight it would have on the world through our history and future. He prayed for himself to carry the burden of sacrifice to completion. He prayed for his disciples who would soon be without their teacher and would need protection to carry the church couragously. Then he prayed for all believers. That includes me and anyone else who has professed faith in Jesus as their Savior.
"I pray also for those who will believe in me through their (the disciples) 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.
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one:
I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you have loved them even as you have loved me.
Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.
I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."
John 17:20-26
The thoughts and desires of Jesus, God Himself, about me are for me to know His love is as strong for believers as it is for His son, and that believers would be united in His love and the truth about who He is as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus did the will of the Father with the knowledge, understanding, and shared desire of God's plan, Jesus wants you and me to be united with him. God wants us to know of His love, to know His Son Jesus, and to live a life that agrees with His plan to save the lost and glorify Him on this earth until Jesus returns. Do you want to be that person? How have you been that person this week? How can you be that person this week?
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