November 7
Read John 17
In Today's
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) Thy Son. . . . I have glorified (honored) Thee on the earth. . . . I have manifested (made known) Thy Name unto the men which Thou gavest Me . . . and they have kept Thy Word (John 17:1,4-6). All true believers should unite in glorifying the Father and the Son, Christ our Lord, and living in obedience to 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
Although Satan is the accuser of our brethren (Revelation 12:10), 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 and to care for them and He forgave 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 unto them the words which Thou gavest Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from Thee, and they have believed that Thou didst send Me (John 17:8). Notice the order: I have given unto them, the words which Thou gavest Me, and they have received them. This emphasizes that faith cometh 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 Thine own Name those whom Thou hast given Me (John 17:11). How encouraging it is that His prayer included everyone of us as He prayed: I have given them Thy Word. . . . They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify (keep holy for God's service) them through Thy truth: Thy 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.
Cross Reference:
For John 17:12: See Psalm 41:9.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for The English International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored by William H. Lupton · Staff: Rita Guerra · Government Official: Rep. Samuel Graves (MO) · Country: Trinidad and Tobago (1 million) two islands seven miles off the coast of Venezuela · Major languages: English and Hindi · Religious freedom · 34% Protestant; 29% Roman Catholic; 25% Hindu; 7% Muslim · Prayer Suggestion: Trust in the Lord: where He guides, He provides (Psalm 16:1-8).
Memory Verse for the Week: James 1:22