“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word.” John 17:20
Dear People Who Keep Company with God,
Meals hold a cherished place in celebrations worldwide. They can evoke emotions and memories while fostering a sense of togetherness and connection. In chapters 13-17, the Gospel of John tells the story of the most famous meal in the Bible – the final Passover Meal that Jesus shared with his disciples hours before his crucifixion. The Lord’s Supper, also known as the Last Supper or Holy Communion, is the only tradition that Jesus instructed His followers to continue until His return (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
During the supper, Jesus shares some of His most personal thoughts, speaking in a way that resonates as fully human and full of divine revelation and authority. At the heart of Jesus’ message is the purpose of His earthly mission: to reveal the true nature of God the Father and reconcile humanity to Him. He summed it up, saying, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Jesus, the King of kings, came to serve humanity as a beloved Son and servant, revealing the Father’s love. As loved children of the Father and friends of Jesus, we are called to serve people on earth (John 13:13-17).
Jesus also cautioned us about the world’s hatred (John 15:18). He prepared His apostles for the near trials he would go through in a short time, including His arrest, torture, and death at Golgotha. In doing so, He also showed us how we all can live in the long term through His victory on the cross. He emphasized that our present-day spiritual warfare is based on His triumph, not on our efforts to achieve victory. The Apostle Paul later affirms this when he speaks of the “good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). This means there is a bad fight of faith, which is when we strive for victory from our sense of justice or righteousness, not from the victory Christ won once and for all at the cross.
To navigate life on Earth, Jesus emphasizes the importance of establishing a meaningful relationship with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-18 & 16:7). Our relationship with the Spirit of God equips us to endure the world’s hatred, confront life’s challenges, and navigate through times of sorrow, while also experiencing the power, beauty, and wonder of our status as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven and members of God’s household.
Just before departing from the Upper Room and entering the Garden of Gethsemane, where He would be arrested, Jesus offered what many consider the most profound prayer ever uttered on earth, as recorded in John 17. He prayed for Himself, the Apostles, and all His followers throughout the ages. Jesus’ intercession for us is stunning. He prayed that we would be united with the Father and the Holy Spirit just as He is (John 17:22-23). He also prayed that we would witness and experience His glory and come to know the love of the Father (John 17:24-26).
Jesus’s final meal with His disciples before His death and His prayer over His past and future followers reveal that we can have the same mantle of love, power, and a sound mind that He embodied. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was filled, empowered, and propelled to carry out His work. We, too, can receive the same filling, empowerment, and propulsion to continue His work. Just as the Father sent Jesus into the world, Jesus now sends us out to continue the work He completed on the cross (John 20:21).
Many Blessings, BW