A Glimpse into the Heart of God
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one — I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. John 17:20-23 (NIV)
When I focus more on my circumstances than on the character of God, I find myself in a bad mood! When my conversation with Jesus is all about Him making my life easier and giving me what I think I want, my intimacy with Him is non-existent! As a matter of fact, I’m usually more upset after praying than I am before I pray.
I have been praying for Jesus to give me a desire for Him above everything—and I mean everything—above my family, above my ministry, above my hopes and dreams. He knows my heart with all its yuck and still loves me and I want to know His heart. I think to be a follower of Christ and to love Him as He desires for me to love Him, I have to know His heart! If I know His heart, I will more understand and embrace His actions.
As I prayed about this, the scripture that came to my mind was John 17:20-23. John records Jesus praying just before He was arrested. What was on Jesus’ heart 24 hours before His death? I was shocked to see what was on Jesus’ heart. Doesn’t prayer represent what we treasure most? I want you to look very closely at Christ’s number one concern:
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
Right before Jesus goes to His death, His prayer is for us! He desires for us to know how much the Father loves us! Shouldn’t His death on my behalf be enough for me to understand true love? Perhaps Jesus knew that we might doubt His love even after the cross. I can certainly see the love between Christ and His Father; however, God let Him suffer!
I can’t help but look at my own reaction to a challenging day. I often think that if God really loves me He will make things better, and yet, things don’t change instantly. Does this mean that God doesn’t love me? Of course not! Circumstances don’t determine God’s love for us. The cross alone expresses His love for us! What a tender moment we witness above. Jesus’ desire is for you and me to know that we are loved JUST AS HE IS LOVED BY HIS FATHER! We are not loved because we are lovable, we are loved because we are God’s children. I cannot change the heart of God and for that I say “thank you Jesus”!
FURTHER READING: Zephaniah 3:17 2 Thessalonians 3:5
Want a companion devo for this blog? Sign up for The Sip, a midweek devotional delivered to your inbox.
[gravityform id="2" title="false" description="false" ajax="true"]