John 17:10-13
All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves.
Reflection – Patsy Jeffcoat
These verses are part of the prayer that Jesus prays as he is wrapping up his ministry. He is praying for God’s protection for his disciples as Jesus prepares to leave their earthly presence. Jesus came into the world as a gift of light from God, and much of the world has rejected that light and denied the gift. The world has subjugated and oppressed people that are loved and created by God. This is such a dangerous world that Jesus asks God to protect his people from it.
Here Jesus is praying for protection for his disciples, and his prayer covers us as well. The world is still fallen and dangerous, but Jesus petitions to God on our behalf, that we may have his joy complete in ourselves. The Common English Bible translation says, “so that they can share completely in my joy.” What a beautiful prayer – that we all experience the joy of Jesus that comes from the never-failing source of the presence of God.
One of the things I remember Crosscreek’s first pastor, Richard Wash, saying many times is that there is no one he would rather have pray for him than this body of believers. Much has changed over the years, but this still holds true. We know each other, good and bad, and love each other as brothers and sisters in Christ despite our differences. We aren’t perfect, but we lovingly lift each other up to the One who is. May we all find comfort, protection, peace, and joy in that.
Leave a Reply