Daily Devotions
John
John 17 : 1 - 26 "AN AMAZING LIST OF THINGS PRAYED FOR"
Day 262 – John 17
AN AMAZING LIST OF THINGS PRAYED FOR
It is amazing to trace the way Jesus prayed for His Disciples. With depth of insight, with love in the heart, with full confidence in His Father, Jesus brought the needs of His Disciples in prayer to the throne of grace. He prayed for safekeeping. He prayed for oneness among the Disciples. These were real needs. As we study how Jesus prayed for His Disciples, we are pleasantly surprised when He also prayed for Joy for them.
“But now I come to You, and these things I speak
in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in
themselves.”
John 17:13
A PRAYER FOR JOY
Jesus had put on flesh. Thus He understood the needs of man because He walked in his shoes. He knew that many harsh things experienced in life caused people to be miserable. How unforgettable were the many people who came to Him, sick and weary of life. There were the blind, the lame, the leprous people shunned by all! How hard was their lot in life. Surely, they needed some joy.
Then there were those assailed and possessed by demons. They were utterly helpless before the demonic powers that reduced them to the level of animals at times! How sad human life could be.
Jesus had come to bring deliverance. He had come with a powerful message of salvation. He had come to be their Saviour. Many were delivered, but there were so many more who had not yet heard the Gospel.
He had been training His Disciples for three years. He knew that they would do well in their ministry, for they would be given none other than the Holy Spirit Himself to assist them in their work for God!
The work that they would do however would be demanding and difficult. Their strength would be taxed to the utmost. They would need all the encouragement they could get. Jesus knew the power of Joy. The words found in the book of Nehemiah come readily to mind,
“…The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10
WHEREIN MAY THIS JOY BE FOUND?
Let us recall what Jesus taught earlier concerning this special gift of joy.
1. A Joy that comes from Love for Jesus
Jesus had spoken to His Disciples about His returning to His Father. He had hoped that this knowledge, this understanding would have given them joy.
“If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said,
‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater
than I.”
John 14:28
2. A Joy that comes from Understanding the Teachings of Jesus
Jesus taught His Disciples many profound truths. Each of them was capable of bringing great joy to the heart.
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy
may remain in You, and that your joy may be full.”
John 15:11
3. A Joy that comes from Hope of seeing Jesus again
Sorrow is inevitable in life. However, sorrow need not reign in a person’s life. Jesus offered His very full joy as the substitute.
“You now have sorrow; but I will see you again
and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one
will take from you.”
John 16:22
4. A Joy that comes as a special gift from God because it was prayed for
Joy was not something that one dares to take for granted. There are some who seem to be born with a cheerful personality, and they seem to experience much joy in their lives. Jesus wasn’t talking about that when He prayed for the gift of joy to be given to His Disciples.
There was a special joy that was found in “the things” that Jesus had spoken in the world. There was special joy to be found in the truths that Jesus had proclaimed. Faith in Him was meant to be a joyful experience. He prayed that His Disciples would experience that joy, no matter the circumstances in their life! This joy could indeed be said to be “fulfilled in themselves”. He was speaking of the reality and power of this joy in the lives of the Disciples. Jesus prayed that this sense of joy would be a special gift to them as they prepared themselves to serve Him.
THE GIFT OF JOY EXPERIENCED
This gift of joy sounds wonderful. Why do so few experience this joy? Let us consider how the Disciples indeed found joy in their lives, despite suffering. May we find this joy of the Lord.
1. Joy amidst suffering
The Christians in the first century suffered much, Nevertheless, they were able to rejoice in their faith in Jesus. Their courage was evident, reading from this text.
“So they departed from the presence of the council,
rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer
shame for His Name.”
Acts 5:41
2. Prayer and Praise even in prison!
Paul and Barnabas found themselves thrown into jail on one occasion, after having been beaten severely. Nevertheless no one could take away the joy that was in their hearts. At midnight, they were found “praying and singing hymns to God” (Acts 16:25).