Bible Pathways 11/07/04

November 7

Read John 17 - 18

In Today's Reading:

Jesus' prayer of intercession; His betrayal and arrest; Peter's denial; Jesus before high priests; Jesus condemned; Barabbas released

After the Passover meal, Jesus began praying: Father, the hour is come; glorify (honor) Your Son. . . . I have glorified (honored) You on the earth. . . . I have manifested (made known) Your Name to the men which You gave Me . . . and they have kept Your Word (John 17:1,4-6). All true believers should unite in glorifying the Father and Christ our Lord, and in keeping His Word.

Jesus continued praying for all who would believe on Him, that they may be one, even as We are One (17:20-22). Jesus and the eleven disciples then went to the Mount of Olives. Jesus knew that Judas would soon arrive with the religious leaders who would lead the hostile mob and the Roman military to crucify Him. Within hours, all of Jesus' followers forsook Him.

Satan is the accuser of our brethren (Revelation 12:10); but it is comforting to know that Jesus sees far more in His followers than we see in ourselves or in each other. He knew His disciples would leave Him; but He continued to love them and forgive them.

The difference between the weakest of Jesus' disciples and the worldly, unsaved person is revealed in Jesus' prayer to His Father in heaven: I have given to them the words which You gave Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from You, and they have believed that You did send Me (John 17:8). Notice the order: The words which You gave Me, I have given to them, and they have received them. This emphasizes that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Faith and spiritual discernment are imparted as we daily meditate upon the Word of God. As the psalmist recorded: A good understanding have all they that do His Commandments (Psalm 111:10).

Jesus also prayed to the Heavenly Father to keep through Your own Name those whom You have given Me (John 17:11). How encouraging it is that His prayer included everyone of us as He prayed: I have given them Your Word. . . . They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify (keep holy for God's service) them through Your truth: Your Word is Truth. . . . Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word (John 17:14,16-20).

Word Studies:

17:12 son of perdition = Judas Iscariot; 18:30 malefactor = evil doer, criminal, one who does evil.

Cross Reference:

For John 17:12: See Psalm 41:9.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for Government Official: Rep. Samuel Graves (MO) · Country: Angola (11 million) in west-central Africa · Major languages: Portuguese and Bantu dialects · Christianity is gradually being driven underground by communism · 60% Roman Catholic; 20% Protestant; 5% belief in ancestor spirits, witches, and medicine men · Prayer Suggestion: Confess and forsake any known sin (Nehemiah 1:6).

Memory Verse for the Week: II Corinthians 4:11