Listening to Jesus pray. What a gift that God should include this chapter in His eternal Word.
Verse 3 sparked some meditations. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. Eternal life is knowing God. I tried to dwell on that. Eternal life is a relationship with God that begins immediately when we confess Jesus and it continues into and throughout eternity. Eternal life flows from knowing God…
The word ‘protect’ in verse 11-12 sparked other meditations. 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.
It seems that Jesus is referring to a spiritual protection more so than physical protection. I thought about the lives of the Apostles, most of them suffered death and persecution for Jesus’ name. Yet everyone had strength for those moments of trial and each one finished the race with faith and valor. So God did protect them. God watched over them and guaranteed their inheritance (Eph 1:14).
Emphasizing this same truth, Paul instructs the Romans, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? …
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:28-39)
God protects His own and sees us through to eternity.
Lord God Almighty, I marvel at Your care… May my life bring You honor and glory… Through Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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