THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW

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JESUS PRAYS FOR US

Read:  John 17:1–26

            I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.  And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. John 17:4-5 NIV

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            Now Jesus spoke to His Father in the presence of His disciples. He was going to be entering Heaven very soon, restored to the glory He left behind when He became a man.  The disciples must have been encouraged when they heard Him tell His Father, “I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.” (17:8) “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” (17:15)

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            Lord, I am so thankful that in this prayer You said, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.” (17:20)  As I meditate on this chapter and all the words You said for them and for us – I claim these words for my family:  “I in them and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.“  (17:23 NKJV)

* * *

            “I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”  John 17:26 NKJV

I WILL SEND HIM TO YOU

SCATTERED BUT NOT ALONE

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Read John 16:5–33

“It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” John 16:7 NKJV

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The disciples were still trying to grasp what Jesus was telling them. He was preparing them for the frightening, sorrowful days ahead. He said, “Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.” (16:22)

At one point, the men thought they understood; they said, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.” (16:29–30)

Jesus replied, “Do you now believe? Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone…”(16:30-32 NKJV) The disciples would indeed be scattered, but they would be gathered again, empowered by the Holy Spirit and made into the foundation of a church that would turn the world upside down.

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Lord, I see from the lives of these men that I don’t have to understand all that You are doing in the world. I just have to trust that You are the Son of God who has taken away my sin, and promised a fruitful, abundant life, by the power of Your Holy Spirit.

* * *

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NKJV

THE PASSOVER LAMB

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THE LAST SUPPER

Read Luke 22:1-23

Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” Luke 22:7-8 NKJV

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     The feast of the Passover celebrated the day when God delivered the Jews from Egypt. The blood of the lamb was placed on the doorposts in the sign of a cross. The wine of the Passover feast represented the blood. On this occasion Jesus said, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” (22:20) Jesus was the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world and give eternal life to all who believe.

     The time had come for Jesus to fulfill the prophesy given at this last supper. Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. (22:15) Jesus knew He would suffer, He knew who would betray Him and He knew who would be with Him in His kingdom.

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Lord, thank you for laying down your life so that we could live eternally in Your presence. One day we will see You face to face and bow down in worship and praise for all You have done for us.

* * *

And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Luke 22:19 NKJV