Jesus intercedes for us
“I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.” John 17:9 (ESV)
Praise be to God! As believers, we are called to pray continually (1 Thess 5:17). We are called to pray for each other, for spiritual leaders, for government and even for our enemies. But as you pray, did you know that Jesus is also praying for you? The bible says He always lives to make intercession for us (Heb 7:25) Hallelujah! This is a source of hope and encouragement to me, knowing that my Saviour continually intercedes for me.
Keep in mind that whenever Jesus prays for anything, it is in the will of God and therefore it is answered. It is done (1 John 5:14-15). Our part is to believe and to receive. Just before He was crucified, Jesus got down on his knees to pray for his disciples. I am amazed at what He prayed for. There is not enough time to study his prayer in detail but we can still learn much from looking at a few highlights.
What was Jesus praying for on our behalf? Let’s turn to John 17 to find out.
That we may be kept in His Name (vs 11). Names are important. They are our identity. They also reveal where we come from as well as who our family is. God is committed to keeping us in His name. He is committed to helping us identify with Him as His people at all times (Jer 32:38). When we are kept by God in His name, we are sheltered by Him. We are guarded by Him (vs 12) as His family. King David in Psalm 121 recognized the Lord as his keeper, as his shelter. He was therefore confident that he was protected from extreme and difficult situations by God. This is why he said “The Lord is my keeper; the Lord is my shade on my right hand. The sun shall not strike me by day, nor the moon by night” (Ps 121:5-6 paraphrased). Friends, Jesus prayed that we may be kept in His name. God therefore committed to shielding and protecting us because we bear His name. Hallelujah!
That we may have joy (vs 13). Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. In last week’s devotion titled “The Joy of Faith” by Patrick, he shared on how the early Christians were able to rejoice continually – even in the midst of persecution. Imagine living during that time. Every day you would hear reports of how a brother or sister in the Lord has been captured and thrown in jail. You would hear reports of their torture and sometimes their death. It was difficult time for believers. How did they hold on to their fruit of joy? Patrick identified two reasons in last week’s devotion. It was because of who they believed in as well as what they believed. They rejoiced always because the presence of God was very real to them (Ps 16:11) and they rejoiced always because they believed in the promises of God for this life as well as the next and this gave them hope. Jesus prays for every one of us to be filled with supernatural joy. In this way we too can rejoice - always. Hallelujah!
That we may be protected from the evil one and from evil (vs 15). In praying for us, Jesus acknowledged that we have a real enemy who is actively at work against us. His prayer for us was that we be protected from the enemy and his work. God assures us through His Word, that He will keep us from all evil, in our going outs and our coming in (Ps 121:7-8). Not only this but guess what? Jesus gave us authority and power over all the power that the enemy has and promised that nothing would harm us (Lk 19:10). We can resist the devil and he will flee, we can trample over the enemy and his works and ultimately crush him (Rom 16:20), we can do all this because of who we are in Christ and because Jesus continuously prays for us that we be protected from the evil one and his works. Hallelujah!
That we may be sanctified (vs 17). To be sanctified means to be set apart for God’s use. We are to be like the vessels that were kept in the tabernacle and were specifically dedicated to God for His use only (Num 7:1). Even though we are already sanctified by the finished work that Jesus did on the cross, we also have to submit daily to sanctification in our souls and bodies. We have to refrain from evil works and do the works of God. Paul explains this to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:21. “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonourable, he will be a vessel for honourable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work (2 Tim 2:21)”. Jesus prays for our sanctification that we may be used for honourable works. This enables us to co-labour with Him, to participate with Him in building the Kingdom of God. It is an amazing privilege which we can rejoice in.
That we may be one (vs 21). Jesus prays that we, the body of believers will remain one – united with one another and united with God the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit. This is tremendous because it means we are never alone in our walk on earth and beyond. God will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5). Plus, we are surrounded by a great crowd of witnesses (Heb 12:1) who help to encourage us.
In summary, I would like to emphasize Jesus is interceding for us. He is continually praying for us. So whatever season you may be going through in your life, you can rejoice and have peace because you know His words and His prayers are never in vain. Amen!
QUESTIONS FOR MEDITATION / DISCUSSION
What new revelation have you received today?
How can you submit to the sanctification process and therefore become useful vessels for God’s use ready for every good work (2 Timothy 2:22-25)?
How can you rejoice always even in the midst of difficult circumstances (1 Thess 5:16-18)
PRAYER POINTS
Pray for the people who are on the frontline of the current health crisis. The medical workers, security personnel, decisions makers etc.
Use your authority as a believer to rebuke and curse sickness, its foundation and its avenues. Let us agree and command health and healing in this nation, in our communities and in our families.
Ask God to show you how you can encourage and bring hope to someone during this time.
