My husband’s parents have incredible records of their family trees, with some branches going as far back as the 1600s. I love looking over them. My family hasn’t kept records like that, but we have beautiful stories passed down for generations. And I want to share these stories with my kids so they can know where they came from.
Today’s reading records an event that we can look back on and see the origins of our spiritual family tree. How many people, from Jesus until now, were faithful for us to be Christians today? It’s astounding to consider.
Think about the person or people who shared the gospel with you. Who shared the gospel with them? And who shared it with those people? And on and on—over continents, across languages and cultures, throughout different eras of history, etc. Jesus’s disciples can trace a chain of faithfulness that goes back to John 17.
In His final discipling moments before going to the cross, Jesus prayed what has been called His High Priestly prayer. He prayed over the disciples who were present, and He prayed over those who were to come. They got to eavesdrop, and so do we.
Jesus prayed that we would be one with Him and the Father, and He prayed for our protection, sanctification, and glorification. And God answered those prayers. That’s why so many have been faithful to the truth. Not solely based on people’s faithfulness but on Christ’s. Scottish pastor Robert Murray M’Cheyne once said, “If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me.” Friend, He prayed for you in John 17 and is still praying for you.
He’s the faithful High Priest at the Father’s right hand, who lives to intercede for us even now (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25). And not only is Jesus the perfect High Priest in the order of Melchizedek (not Caiphas), He’s also the perfect sacrifice.
Jesus didn’t pray over bulls, lambs, or goats. He prayed for Himself because He was to be slain for our atonement. He’s the mediator humanity needs and the sacrifice to end all sacrifices. We are children through His word because others have kept the Word, just as Jesus prayed. And through us, others will believe the Word of truth, just as Jesus prayed they would.
Are you part of God’s family tree? If so, then give Him glory! The Father has answered the Son’s prayers for you. Dear Christian, glorify Him right where you are because you are the fruit of Jesus’s High Priestly Prayer from over two thousand years ago. And He has promised to keep us from stumbling, able to stand in the presence of His glory without blemish one day (Jude 1:24–25).
Your comments are all so profound. I am learning so much. I am overcome to think that the prayers Jesus prayed over 2000 years ago apply to us today. I am humbled. It is comforting to know I am never alone.
I got goosebumps reading Jesus’ prayer in John 17 because, I think for the first time, it really sunk in that Jesus was prayer for me! And he still prays for me. Thank You Jesus ❤️
Just the thought – Jesus prayed for me. So humbling, and so awesome! May I glorify God in my life – every day. And may I do my part in passing the gospel on to others so they in turn can pass it on, and on, and on.
Glory to His Name!
I love to think about Jesus praying for me. I pray that I would rest in his prayers of protection, sanctification, and glorification. I love that he is the one keeping me holy and that I don’t have to be in charge of that.
Thank you Lord! I am so grateful for His story being passed down through the generations so that I too could be part of Jesus’s family tree.
WOW!!! WOW!!! WOW!!! Beverly’s devotion was…..I don’t have the words….maybe GOD AND CHRIST-INSPIRING. She really said it all in her last paragraph; “Are you part of God’s family tree? If so, then give Him glory! The Father has answered the Son’s prayers for you. Dear Christian, glorify Him right where you are because you are the fruit of Jesus’s High Priestly Prayer from over two thousand years ago. And He has promised to keep us from stumbling, able to stand in the presence of His glory without blemish one day (Jude 1:24–25).”
So according to my study Bible the other disciple in John 18:15 they believe was John because he knew the high priest. Once again I have found Scripture that somehow I must have previously skimmed over — John 17:11b “Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are.” When I read this today I was in tears. To know my Jesus asked God to protect me/us before we were even around —- WOW!!!!
Be blessed and God, Christ and the Holy Spirit “have your back” don’t forget that sisters.
My tears are flowing too SEARCHING! He prayed for me…. WOW! Even for me…. And you all prayed for me and my situation at work, so so heartwarming. I can not expres in words How much that means to me. And I wanted to let you know that all your prayers lifted me up. Thank you sweet sweet sisters! I still have to have a difficult conversation with my boss next week so will you keep me in your prayers? So that I can hear Jesus voice over everything and making me see what He wants me to do and say. I’m comforted that Jesus will be there right by my side to help me through it.
I am praying for you too and are so thankful for you all ♥️
Good Morning! Thank you all for the comments Shes! I too was struck of HOW from this prayer forward did it take, generations upon generations for faithful followers to pass on! Are we? So easy to get lost in this world of working and striving to “do” what we think is the next step in life. Must get out of school, must go to college or get a job, must get married (although that seems to go way side today), have kids, have a big house, have two cars, have things….then you get to the last part of your life and say “where did the time go, and why did I put so much importance on things that don’t last eternally”! I, being 54, am already questioning, thankfully, of How I spend my time, my money, my words. How am I feeding into my family, son, and grandkids, AND husband? What do they see when they see me? I thought I would be living large here with our move to SWF, and I am, living large with Jesus as my priority! Just look what He has done for us, and I don’t want to ever forget this.
Lord, I need thee, Every hour I need thee…
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh Lord, how I need thee.
(P.S. I have a migraine today, prayers please that it will go away! We only have today and tomorrow left with my grandson! He flies back home tomorrow night!) Rebecca- prayers that your daughter and grandson go to church, if not her, that she allows your grandson to go!! What a special time it is! I sure miss my son being with me on these special Holy Days.