Month: June 2018

We were at camp last week, and I think it is a perfect microcosm of life.  You start the week full of anticipation, so excited to see everyone you missed since last summer, nothing but joy and optimism.  Everything goes well the first day- worship is inspiring, friends are encouraging, activities are awesome.  But then we get bug bites.  And drop our snacks.  And remember why that other camper is soooooo annoying.

Does that sound like life to you?

In his final words to his friends before facing the cross, Jesus says over and over- love each other.  Because the thing about God-in-flesh is that he knows about bug bites and being hot and sweaty and the annoying friends. So he knows that loving each other gets hard.   He knows we will need the Helper, the Comforter to be with us because in our love for each other he has a final prayer reaching to those of us living today.

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 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.”
‭‭John‬ ‭17:20-21‬ ‭

This, my friends, must sink deep into our hearts with conviction.  Of all the things Jesus could have prayed on our behalf, he prayed that we would be one.  This plan, launched before the beginning of time, is about to be revealed through Jesus’ agony and isolation, and he asks that we be one.

We cannot ignore this, and we cannot trivialize it.

This whole time he has been talking about loving each other and following his example in obedience.  How easy is that? Why do we make it so hard? Because of itchy bug bites and annoying friends? Because of differences of interpretation and disagreements in priority?

Well, actually, I have not found it to be so easy in practice.  The concept is simple, though, so let’s not forget it.  My phrase for myself and my kids, when I am struggling with real-world unity, is “find the ‘and’.” How can we be unified in a way that honors our individuality, our convictions, our bible-honoring beliefs? How can we have conversations embued with love and truth, moving forward in unity? Where do I have to see my stubbornness as the barrier to love? Where is my love failing as my pride prevails?

Father, these words of Christ are so deeply precious as he specifically has us on his mind so close to the time of the cross.  Father, I pray that these children I love, whom you love so profoundly, would be one.  Oh God, we need forgiveness for the times we adults have not modeled this well- please reveal to me my sin.  Give us wisdom and discernment so that we can find the “and” of unity, becoming one as you are one so that the world may know that we are sent by a Father who loves. #prayersformychildren

This passage I’ve been praying through is so rich in content that I completely missed a lot of the setting.  I have always pictured Jesus at a table, surrounded by his friends. But right in the middle of his teaching, immediately before he starts talking about the vine and branches, Jesus says, “Let’s go.”

That changes the whole scene- now instead of a quiet, in my mind cozy room we have a dark, rocky path. We have a group walking- full of questions, but actively going somewhere. It’s harder to hear what Jeus is saying, so everyone is crowding closer. Jesus knows his time is even shorter, so the urgency of what he is saying increases with each step.

This is no calmly delivered living room speech.  These are words of urgency and passion.  Jesus is trying, one last time, to convey his love. And he tells us why.

“I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”

So put yourself in this picture.  Big, traditionally celebratory meal with Jesus and his crowd of friends. But then he starts talking about betrayal, and leaving.  The mood gets a little weird. Then he says it’s time to go, and he won’t be around or able to to talk too much. You are all walking a dark rocky path to his favorite prayer spot. His words are confusing; he sounds like he is running out of time.  There is a sense of….maybe it is finality?

Jesus is delivering the words he wants his friends to remember when the unspeakable horror of his death unfolds.  Maybe he senses a mood of unrest. He knows his followers are still confused. He knows far more chaos and confusion are coming, so he wants to arm them with the truth.

And to Jesus, the bottom line is that this is all really, really good news.  As he lays out the truth of his mission here on earth, his departure, the gift of the Holy Spirit and our dependence on God, he tries to help his followers understand that beyond the chaos, suffering, doubt, and tragedy of the coming hours lies joy.

Not just any joy, but joy that fills us to overflowing! What a beautiful, astounding gift.

Father, this is such an amazing gift of your love! To think that Jesus explained himself so thoroughly for the sole purpose of filling us with joy- my heart is overwhelmed. Many days and years, Father, are not joyful. But I pray that my children and the ones they will one day marry come to know the truth of your work throughout the ages, drawing us to you. I pray we will all abide in you, filled with your Spirit, and certain of your love. I pray that we would be filled with joy overflowing as we love you and love each other. #prayersformychildren #joyoverflowing