Daily Devotions
Today’s Reading: John 17:1-19 & Psalm 9
“Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your name—the name You gave Me—so that they may be one as We are one. … I have given them Your Word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.” John 17:11, 14
Throughout His prayer, our Lord talks to—intercedes with—the Father for you … for me … for all His disciples. His prayer gives body and form to what’s happening right now: namely, Jesus Christ, sitting at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, speaking with the Father on our behalf. Are your ears burning? They should be!
We might ask, “Well, what’s He saying?” Certainly many things—but there’s one thing I assure you He is not saying. He is not saying, “Father, forgive them.” Why? He doesn’t have to, because you and I and all believers have been forgiven. He accomplished forgiveness for us on Good Friday and proved it on Easter Sunday. He no longer carries out any atoning work for us now—It is finished! Now, He intercedes for us.
Our text offers a sampling of what Jesus says to the Father on our behalf. “Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your name …I have given them Your Word.” His Word in the Bible: hear it, read it, pray over it, dig into it, study it. This keeps us in His name. The Holy Spirit operates in and through His Word, convicting us of sin and convincing us of salvation. His Word strengthens us as Christians.
Our Lord has given us His Word, and now He intercedes for us that we remain in it. Are your ears burning? Thank God, the answer is yes!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, our Redeemer and Advocate, graciously send us Your Spirit so we may remain steadfast in and faithful to Your Word, for we pray this in Your holy name. Amen.
Response
What are you doing to remain in His Word?