Week 22: Being One

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

* Sunday: 2 Samuel 12:1-31; John 16:1-33; Psalm 119:65-80; Proverbs 16:4-5
* Monday: 2 Samuel 13:1-39; John 17:1-26; Psalm 119:81-96; Proverbs 16:6-7
* Tuesday: 2 Samuel 14:1-15:22; John 18:1-24; Psalm 119:97-112; Proverbs 16:8-9
* Wednesday: 2 Samuel 15:23-16:23; John 18:25-19:22; Psalm 119:113-128; Proverbs 16:10-11
* Thursday: 2 Samuel 17:1-29; John 19:23-42; Psalm 119:129-152; Proverbs 16:12-13
* Friday: 2 Samuel 18:1-19:10; John 20:1-31; Psalm 119:153-176; Proverbs 16:14-15
* Saturday: 2 Samuel 19:11-20:13; John 21:1-25; Psalm 120:1-7; Proverbs 16:16-17

Today we celebrate Memorial Day. This morning as I was reflecting on the men and women, who laid down their life on the altar of freedom, it occurred to me that Jesus laid down his life on the altar to give us eternal freedom. Freedom from bondage to sin and eternal condemnation. What a wonderful Savior we have!

This week's SOAP scripture is from the gospel of John:

Scripture: John 17:20-21
20 "I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me because of their testimony. 21 My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father -- that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me."

Observation:
Chapter 17 of the gospel of John is a beautiful chapter that records Jesus' prayer to his Father, right before his death. It's the prayer of Jesus, the high priest, interceding for his disciples. In verse 20, Jesus prays not just for the eleven disciples, but for all who will ever believe in him because of the testimony of these 11 disciples. That includes you and me. Jesus is prayer here for us, which is totally amazing! His prayer is that we will all be one just as He and the Father are one.

Application:
In the past days, we've seen Jesus talking to his disciples in a different way than he did early on in his ministry. He talks like someone who has very little time left, yet still has so much to say. Knowing that he is only hours away of being captured, he brings things down to their bottom line: abide in me! How? By obeying my commandments. What are my commandments? Love one another. Be one, just as Jesus and the Father are one.

Wow, that's it? Yes, pretty much. The truth is, though, that "loving one another" and "being one" seem to be some of the most difficult commands for us. At least they are for me... I can "love another person" and "be one" for a little bit, but it doesn't take long before something or someone gets in the way of it, and I have to be reminded again. But I also trust and believe that as I get older, I'm getting better at it. It will probably take a lifetime to perfect it, but when it does happen, it is one of the most rewarding things.

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, what is there to say after reading your prayer in John 17? Lord I echo all you are saying, and I pray that you help me to love others the way you loved them. Give me your eyes, your hands, your feet, and your heart to love them, and to strive to be one. You promise that whatever we ask in your name, you will give to us. I trust and believe you will answer this prayer. In Your Holy Name I pray. Amen.

Have a wonderful week.

In Him,

Dick