I PRAYED FOR YOU

 

“I prayed for you.”  When someone tells us that, it is encouraging. Though not minimizing that, there is something better. Jesus prayed for you. That prayer is recorded in John 17. 

It is true that He prayed for all believers, but originally He prayed for those He would commission to share His message—and all who would believe from their words. I think for those of us in Gospel ministry, there is a special encouragement in this intercessory prayer of our Lord. 

There is OUR STRATEGIC PLACEMENT. “Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.” (John‬ ‭17‬:‭11‬‬). 

We serve Christ in a fallen world. The ravages of sin are all about us. Our field of service is a battlefield. Each day we face the world, the flesh, and the devil. Satan is out to defeat us, defile us, damage us, disqualify us, and even destroy us.  But, it is no accident—God’s appointment where and when and what we are assigned to do has been selected in His providence. It is a strategic placement. Where else should we be?  The sick need a physician. If we are not among the sin-sick, howA can we help them find healing?

Then, there is OUR SANCTIFIED POSITION. “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:16-17).  

We are in the world, but not of the world. As a doctor must not be isolated from the diseased, he must, however, be immunized from the disease, else he become sick and unable to fulfill his duty. Before we can dispense the healing Word of God, we must digest it ourselves. Our spiritual health is essential and that comes from taking in the Word of God. Paul put it like this, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  (Rom.‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬‬). Our minds are renewed by the Truth and we are transformed into a sanctified servant of Christ, doing His will and work.

Finally, we consider OUR SAVING PROCLAMATION,  “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. …that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John‬ ‭17‬:‭18, 21‬‬b). 

Christ declared His redemptive mission thus, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost,” (Luke 19:10). He would also say, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you,” (John 20:21b). We are to extend the ministry of Jesus by seeking the lost and bringing them to Jesus for salvation. We have been entrusted with the Gospel—“the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,” (Rom. 1:16). Not everyone will take the medicine, but for those who will, it is life giving! Preach and witness with conviction that God can use you to make an eternal difference in someone’s life!

Jesus prayed this for you. Even more, He is still interceding!  “He always lives to make intercession for [us],” (Heb. 7:25b).