November 8, 2010 (Luke 22, John 13-17)

I'm thankful for a Savior who's praying for us. Although the following verses weren't in today's reading, they compliment what I just read:

^{Hebrews 7:23} There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. ²⁴ But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. ²⁵ Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

First in Luke 22 Jesus tells Simon Peter that He has pleaded in prayer for him. And even though Peter's faith failed momentarily, because of Jesus' prayer for him, his faith did not fail permanently. Once Peter knew he was truly forgiven by Jesus, he was freed to serve from a life consumed by grace. That passage will be coming up in a future blog.

³¹ “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. ³² But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”

And then in John as Jesus gives his final "sermon" to His disciples, He again reiterates that He is not only praying for them, but for all who would believe through their ministry - (us). I don't know about you, but I am taking comfort today in the knowledge that Jesus is praying for me, that my faith will not fail and that the Father would continue to reveal Himself to me.

²⁰ “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. ²¹ I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

²² “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. ²³ I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. ²⁴ Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

²⁵ “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. ²⁶ I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”