John 17:6-19
This reveals a most intimate act to us from Jesus. Well this whole last supper in John does this. Starting with washing the disciples feet. Then we get this long set of last instructions for the disciples with a command to love one another and now Jesus incarnates this love by praying for his disciples.
Praying for them and the trails they have to face. Praying for their protection now that he will no longer be with them. Praying out loud so that they will know and remember these words in particular. This is the only gospel that has this kind of prayer articulated. Jesus prays for others, he teaches the disciples how to pray, he prays alone, he prays for himself in Gethsemane, and in John he prays for the disciples.
How much does it mean to you to have someone pray for you? Have you actually had someone pray for you? It is an intimate act, one which binds the prayer and prayed for together. If you have never experienced this I invite you to find a friend and do it. It is strengthening the bonds of friendship and healing in receiving the gift of another’s words.
Prayer has the ability to do so much for us. Just think of all the different types of prayer there are. One of the most intimate prayers I have the privilege of doing is praying for someone else. There is no set words although we have many offered in our Book of Common Prayer. One of our most intimate ones I don’t get to do often and that is the prayer for a vigil at the time of death. The words are made for each person offering assurance, recognition that the person is Christ’s own forever. It is more than just a letting go it is an intimate call of belonging to God and being beloved.
This is what the disciples get to hear in this last prayer. They are already abiding in Jesus’ love. They will feel lost in this world, but they are not. They belong to Jesus, just as you and I belong to Jesus. We are Christ’s forever. Amen.
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