Jesus Prayed for Your JOY - A Meditation on Protection and Joy that Jesus Prayed for YOU

 

Here we are the week AFTER Easter and I find myself reflecting on some of the events leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection. I think that’s the way it was for Jesus’ friends and followers, too.  Sometimes we see things in hindsight that were right in front of us but we just didn’t see them.

Jesus said a lot of things that night of the last supper.  If it wasn’t enough that he humbled himself to wash his disciples’ feet, he also told them about things to come that were unfathomable and challenging even for us to process when we know the whole story.  You can read all about it in John 13-16.

That day, Jesus was laying out the blueprint for what was to come to his disciples.  Those were tough truths to take in and comprehend, so He said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

I’m not sure that the disciples really grasped the peace and power of those words.  Especially when you consider the mind-blowing events that took place just hours later.

After that dinner and all those hard-to-digest words Jesus spoke, a few of the disciples were asked to go with Jesus to one of his favorite spots to pray, the garden.  Had they realized what was about to come next, I’m sure they would have made every effort to fight sleep and pray there, too.

 

Jesus prayed and he prayed with an intensity beyond anything we know.

 

Never-the-less, Jesus prayed and he prayed with an intensity beyond anything we know.  One of the prayers he prayed is referred to as the high priestly prayer as he not only prayed these words for himself, but over his followers and his church to come.

I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. John 17:11-16

 

There are two things about these passages that I’m seeing in a fresh new way…

 

Jesus prayed for your PROTECTION and JOY.

 

Let’s Talk about Protection

Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me.  I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.  John 17:11-12, 14-15

I know that there is power in praying “in” the name of Jesus, but I am awed as I read that Jesus’ name makes us one with the Father just as Jesus is one with the Father.  And just as Jesus’ followers were kept safe by him as he walked the earth, we, too, are protected from the evil one by the powerful mighty name of Jesus. 

When Jesus said, “I have given them your word.” he is saying I gave them myself. Scripture tells us that Jesus is the word…

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made.  John 1:1-3

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  John 1:14

And though we no longer have Jesus the Word in flesh… he has given us himself in word.  This is one of those truths that may be difficult to wrap our minds around as it is so powerful, so life-changing, so liberating.  When we make the choice to follow Jesus, we only need to speak his name to see things happen.  That’s why our prayers can be so powerful.  And that is why the enemy of the world and the fallen world in which we live not only hated Jesus followers then… but still today.

The enemy is still in a battle for our souls, BUT, Jesus has already asked the Father to protect us from the evil one.  He didn’t ask the Father to take us out of this place where we are not wanted.  Instead, he is empowering us to live holy lives, good lives, God-glorifying lives.  We are able to glorify God through our trials, through the struggles with relationships, jobs, finances, illness, and loss. We can do more to build the kingdom here than at home with God.

I hope this encourages you as it encourages me.  Jesus did not expect his followers to live mamby-pamby lives… but strong, courageous, victorious lives… in his loving, powerful NAME.

 

Jesus prayed for your joy in this Bible Verse from John 17

 

Let’s Talk about Joy

I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. John 17:13

That is a puzzling statement at first.

What is so important for Jesus to speak these things while he is still in the world?

If we look back a few verses…

…protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me.  I have given them your word and the world has hated them…

We are reminded that there is tremendous power in the NAME of Jesus… so I think there is even more by his very presence in the world. Therefore, in light of the impending circumstances, Jesus desired for his disciples to have his incredible joy that will transcend ANY situation, including the devastating one they were to experience in mere minutes.

After the last supper Jesus went to pray for your protection and joy

Not long before the last supper, Jesus told his followers how important it was for them to remain in him through his telling of the parable of the vine and the branches.  That talk finished with these words…

 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  John 15:9-11

Jesus wants all of us to understand that in HIM we will have incredible joy no matter the circumstance.  Our joy doesn’t come from the world or anything in it, our joy comes from him alone, and even in the darkest of days, our grief will turn into joy.

And then Jesus alludes to his impending crucifixion and death when he says…

Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:23-24

When Jesus was with his followers, there was no need for them to ask him for anything.  They had the full joy of being in his presence… even soaking in his words.  He saw their needs and took care of them, even as much as feeding the 5,000.

Now, we are in the position to approach the Father (the throne of grace) directly, in the NAME of Jesus.  When Jesus returns, we won’t need to ask for anything, but until then, we need help to live this holy, beautiful, victorious life desired for us and that as believers we’ve chosen.  This is not something we can do in our own power and strength, but only in the name and power of Jesus. And that is where we find our ultimate joy.  Being plugged into the Father, through his son, Jesus. Nothing else can satisfy.  Everything else pales in comparison.  Everything.  And that. That is why Jesus prayed for you and me to have the full measure of his joy.

 

These were challenging passages to process.

As we go deep and dive into God’s word, we continually discover more about this incredible love that he has for us and the joy he wants us to share with him.  I hope you’ll take some time to sit with some of these verses and may they draw you closer to the lover of your life… Jesus.

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Did you know Jesus prayed for YOU? A meditation on Jesus' prayer for protection and joy that will encourage your heart. Spiritual inspiration for the soul

 

 

 

Protection and Joy on JoyDay!

 

It’s JoyDay!

And time to get our joy meters soaring!

Please join me in thinking back over the past week and counting seven things for which you are thankful.  This simple exercise of counting and giving thanks together in this space is something we do each week to reset our compasses and put our eyes back on the Lord.

I’ll start…

Thank you, God for…

  1. blossoms and blooms and all the finery of spring.
  2. a creative weekend and sunshine, too!
  3. the good word that was spoken about Tim this past week… It meant so much!
  4. carrying us through this season of fatigue.
  5. Your joy and protection.  You are the God who loves us and fights for us.  And even more WON the victory!
  6. The WORD, Jesus, and he IS the truth and truth detector in this crazy world.
  7. Your love beyond measure.
  8. reminding me that I just need to trust you with my time.

Now…it’s YOUR turn!

List your ‘seven’ in the ‘share your extraordinary thoughts’ section below.

You’ll be glad you did.

Thank you for stopping by and leaving your sweet thoughts.

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Comments

  1. Judy says

    This is Truly Beautiful Diane…Thank You! Peaceful Blessings, Love, Judy

    • Thank you so much, Judy!
      Praying you have a wonderful and joy-filled weekend! {hugs}

  2. Sarah says

    I love that thought that even knowing the horrible event about to happen, Jesus prayed for me!

    • We cannot even comprehend the kind of love HE has for us.
      Thanks for popping by Sarah! Have a blessed weekend!

  3. How awesome this is Diane! I will feature it today at Home Sweet Home! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

    • Sherry, you just made my day. Thank you so much for this sweet gesture! {{hugs}}

  4. A truly wonderful, inspiring post. We need more of this the world over. Many blessings for sharing with us.

  5. I Thanks God for kiping me and My family are life today and for ever army

Please Share Your Extraordinary Thoughts!

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