First Reflection on John 17
For those of you who attended the FUSE leadership meeting on the 28th you know that I recommended that we all read and study John 17 between now and Easter. In review this is the longest recorded prayer that we have from Jesus and he is praying it towards the end of his life leading up to his death on the cross. In this prayer Jesus prays for three different people, he first prays for himself, then he prays for his disciples, and finally he prays for the people who would come to know him in the future.
You will also remember that I suggested that this may be a prayer that as a leadership team we should model, especially right now leading up to Easter. As we are praying for FUSE and for God to move on Easter during FUSE I think it is important that we pray for the same three groups of people that Jesus did.
I also said that I would be blogging about my reflections on John 17 and encouraged you all to add your own thoughts to mine. Well here is the first thing that popped off the page to me, look at the order that Jesus prayed in. He first prayed for himself and then worked his way out until he got to people he did not know personally yet. I find this interesting because I know for myself I tend to pray for those around me first and then for those who are not yet in the ministry but would attend FUSE or the student ministry but very rarely do I ever pray for myself. Not Jesus, he starts with himself. What is it that he knew that I don’t? Was there a strategy behind the order of his prayer or do you think he just prayed at random? Why is it so hard for me to pray for myself and so easy to pray for others?
March 4, 2010 at 6:43 am
James,
I’ve been reading a lot and Jesus takes a lot of time for himself to get to talk to God. I’m thinking we can relate this to the safety message on airlines. If the plane goes down they tell you to put on your own mask first before helping anyone else, even a child. God wants us to know him. If we fail at that how will we bring anyone else to him. If we try to get someone else’s spiritual mask on before our own we may not make it in time. Kinda cheesy I know but it works in my mind.
March 4, 2010 at 12:23 pm
It works in my mind to. I like your thoughts a lot and it makes since that, much like on an airplane we need to get air to our lungs first, in life we need to do the same. But what are your thoughts on the other part of my question, why is it so hard for us to pray regularly for ourselves? Am I the only one with this problem? Just asking questions….
March 8, 2010 at 9:12 am
I think it is hard for us to pray for ourselves because one it means we have to swallow our pride. When we pray for ourselves first it’s not only admitting that we need God, but it is admitting that we need God more that everybody else. I think we naturally have a subconscious that says I’m doing alright in my relationship with God, sure I’m not as close as that guy, but at least I’m not as far away as you know who. That’s the wrong mentality though, we can’t compare ourselves to others we should only compare ourselves to Jesus. In doing that you realize that if I am ever gonna be like Christ, I am going to need Jesus to help me. I think it kind of goes hand in hand with what you were saying at fuse about just letting go of your pride and what you thing you are or and be, and seeing what God knows you are and surrendering to what He wants you to be.
March 8, 2010 at 9:16 am
that last sentence is supposed to say- letting go of your pride and what you think you are or could be, and seeing what God knows you are and surrending to who He wants you to be.- sorry I didn’t proof read it.