[Jesus said] "I have given [My disciples] the Words that You gave Me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from You .... I am praying for them. ... for they are Yours .... I have given them Your Word .... Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth." (John 17:8a, 9, 14a, 17)

As He prays, Jesus' thoughts then turn to His followers, whom He loves so dearly and is about to leave. He entrusts them into the Father's hands. Up to this point Jesus has guarded them, but now that He is returning to the Father, the Holy Spirit will keep them faithful and safe in the truth.

But where will they find that safety? In God's Word! The disciples had Jesus to teach them God's Word for about three years—frankly, I'm a little jealous. But He taught them so they could teach us—so they could hand on what they learned from Him, both in the form of the New Testament and in the everyday life of the church, explaining "This is how Jesus wants us to do things" as the baby Christian church got going.

And now we have this great treasure, God's own Word, now in printed form—and as audio files and even in online formats. We can hear God speaking to us any time we want—and we can grow closer to Him and come to know Him intimately. He makes Himself available to us in His Word. What could be better than getting to know our Lord Jesus, who died for us and rose again, because He loves us so much?

WE PRAY: Lord, help me to come to know and love You better through Your Word. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

* Have you ever read old letters between lovers or relatives?

* If so, what did you learn about the people involved?

* What is one thing you've learned about God from the Bible?

Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Today's Bible Readings: Numbers 7-8    Mark 13:21-37

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