The apostle John wrote how Jesus prayed to His Father God, “now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to you. Holy Father, keep through your own name those whom you have given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name: those that you gave me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. And now come I to you; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world”, and in chapter seventeen and verse fifteen of his book John shared how Jesus prayed to His Heavenly Father God about His disciples, “I pray not that you should take them out of the world” where we read:
I pray not that you should take them out of the world,
but that you should keep them from the evil.
The verse reads, “I pray not that you should take them out of the world, ...” John began with the words, “I pray not” which means “I, Jesus, do not request, entreat, beg or beseech” “that you should take them” or “that you, Heavenly Father God, remove and carry off them, Jesus' disciples” “out of the world” which means “away and separated from the earth and it's inhabitants”. John shared how Jesus “entreated” His Heavenly Father not to remove His disciples from the earth.
The verse goes on to say, “... but that you should keep them from the evil.” John continued with the words, “but that you should keep them” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover that you, God the Heavenly Father, should attend to, guard, and take care of them, Jesus' disciples” “from the evil” which means “apart and separated from the labors, annoyances, hardships and perils”. John shared how Jesus told His Heavenly Father God that He desired to have His disciples “guarded over and cared for” when the “labors, hardships and perils” arose.
When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus “prayed” for His disciples not to be “removed” from the earth but “cared for and guarded from” the “labors, hardships and perils” that arise in the earth. Jesus never promised His disciples they would not face difficulties, and even as He was “tried, tortured and crucified” for the sins of mankind, His disciples were certain to face troubles as well. God loves people, and His purpose for sending His Son Jesus into the world was to provide a way of salvation from the penalty for sins – death, and all who yield their lives to Him will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God in Heaven. Those who are wise will carefully consider the “love and care” of God Almighty for His believers and surrender their lives to His Son Jesus.
Next time John shares how Jesus prays to His Heavenly Father God about His disciples saying, “they are not of the world”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
No comments:
Post a Comment