TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 17:1-5
I lay down my life–only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. - John 10:17–18
TODAY IN THE WORD
For most people, the brightest object they can think of is the sun, but the Bible teaches that there’s something even brighter than the sun–the glory of the Lord! And today’s passage gives a deeper understanding of that glory.

For the next four days, we’ll look at Jesus’ longest recorded prayer. Earlier we looked at the so-called Lord’s Prayer, but many people prefer to call John 17 the true Lord’s Prayer, because it records how Jesus actually prayed.

You may recall that John 13–17 describe the events taking place during the last Passover meal that Jesus spent with His disciples. The evening began with Jesus washing His disciples’ feet (John 13), followed by important instruction. After this, Jesus prayed.

He began by looking up to heaven. Although we typically bow our heads, pious Jews often stood and looked up when they prayed. Just as He taught His disciples, Jesus began by addressing the Father. As we noted yesterday, “time” indicates Jesus’ death on the Cross, which He had anticipated throughout His entire ministry. Now that hour had come (v. 1).

It’s amazing that Jesus could speak of His brutal death on a shameful cross as glorifying the Father, or that the Father could glorify the Son by the Cross. But the Cross accomplished the greatest event in human history. Through it, Jesus completed the very work of redemption for which He came. After the Cross, Jesus was raised from the dead. As William and Aída Spencer write, “Jesus’ resurrection is the most dazzling display of God’s glory the world has ever seen.”

Through the Cross, eternal life was made possible, here defined as knowing the Father and the Son (v. 3). Living eternally isn’t about how long we live, but about the quality of life we enjoy when we truly know God.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
“Glory” is one of the hardest concepts in the Bible to understand. Sometimes God’s glory is likened to a pillar of fire, other times it’s described as a presence (Ex. 40:34–38).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 17:6-12
No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known. - John 1:18
TODAY IN THE WORD
One Bible scholar has summarized Jesus’ long prayer for His disciples found in today’s passage in this simple way: “Jesus prayed for the ones he was most invested in.” Today and for the next two days, we’ll see how Jesus interceded for those whom He loved. In fact, some people refer to this as Jesus’ “High Priestly Prayer.”

After praying about God’s glory (see yesterday’s study), Jesus continued His prayer by saying that He had revealed the Father to the disciples (v. 6).

By making known the Father’s name, Jesus showed the disciples the true nature of God. As they were getting to know Jesus, they were at the same time getting to know the Father (cf. John 1:18).

Surprisingly, Jesus said that the disciples had already belonged to God. This is similar to what Paul also said about believers in Ephesians 1:4: “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world.”

When we read in Jesus’ prayer that “they have obeyed your word,” we may wonder about Peter, who would go on to deny the Lord shortly after this evening. But Jesus was praying here about future events as if they had already happened. He was so sure of who Peter and the other disciples (except Judas) would become that He could pray with complete certainty. Even Judas’ betrayal was no surprise; it had been foretold in Scripture.

Yesterday we saw that Jesus and the Father glorified each other, but today we learn that the disciples also glorified Jesus (v. 10). And they glorified Him the same way that He glorified the Father–by doing the Father’s will. Their witness and proclamation of the gospel was the work that the Father had set before them to do.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
John 17 teaches us a lot about prayer for others. This is especially helpful when we have no idea how to pray for someone else.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 17:13-19
He is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. - Hebrews 7:25
TODAY IN THE WORD
Bible scholars talk about imputed righteousness and imparted righteousness. Imputed righteousness has to do with the saving work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. When we put our faith in Jesus, we’re declared “not guilty” in the Father’s sight because of the price that Jesus paid for our sin. Imparted righteousness has to do with the work of the Holy Spirit. Through God’s Word and His indwelling presence, the Holy Spirit sanctifies us, or makes us more like the image of Jesus Christ.

This quick theology lesson helps us understand the next part of Jesus’ prayer for His disciples in today’s passage.

As Jesus prayed, He was fully aware that He was returning to the Father. Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus endured the Cross because of the joy set before Him. In John 17:13, Jesus spoke of this same joy, the joy of having done the Father’s will.

That’s the joy that He desires for His followers. Jesus has given us His Word and His Spirit so we can know and do the Father’s will, and that will bring us lasting joy. But by knowing and doing God’s will, we become like Jesus–and the world hates us for that (v. 14). Perhaps you’ve experienced this: “friends” you had before you became a Christian are no longer your friends now. They even laugh at your faith. Jesus knows all about this, because He experienced it Himself.

Knowing that His followers would be hated by the world, it might seem surprising that Jesus didn’t pray that we would be spared this rejection. Instead, Jesus prayed for protection from the Evil One. As we’ll see tomorrow, believers need to remain on earth as Christ’s witnesses, even to those who hate them. This is the whole idea of being in the world but not of the world.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If you’re like most Christians, you can get discouraged when you think about personal holiness. At times, becoming more Christlike can seem like a distant reality.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 17:20-26
You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. - Acts 1:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
Christian Theology in Plain Language says this: “It is easy to determine when something is aflame. It ignites other material. Any fire that does not spread will eventually go out. A church without evangelism is a contradiction in terms, just as a fire that does not burn is a contradiction.”

For the past three days, we’ve been looking at Jesus’ extended prayer for His disciples in John 17. As we’ve seen, Jesus prayed for protection, holiness, and unity. Today we see that He also prayed for witnesses, for those who had become believers through the disciples. This includes each one of us who professes faith in Jesus Christ. It’s pretty thrilling to stop and think that when Jesus prayed this prayer He was praying for you! It’s just as exciting to think that He was also praying for those who would believe in Him through you!

Today’s passage shows us how very closely tied witness and unity are. Just as the Father and the Son enjoy unbroken fellowship, so too Jesus prays that believers will experience this same unity. We need this prayer! Why? Because the church’s history painfully shows how divided believers can be. Many people reject Christianity not so much because of theological reasons but because they see believers gossiping and stabbing each other in the back.

Unity in the church shows the world that God sent Jesus Christ and that He loves His followers even as the Father loved Him (vv. 21, 23). Sometimes we think of evangelism as a project, but Jesus teaches that evangelism starts with an attitude within the church–unity. This doesn’t mean that there can’t be any differences among believers. God created each one of us uniquely. So unity doesn’t mean sameness; it means not allowing the differences to divide us into squabbling factions–we are one in Christ!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
“A church without evangelism is a contradiction in terms.” We might also say that a church without unity is a contradiction in terms.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 26:36-46
Not as I will, but as you will. - Matthew 26:39
TODAY IN THE WORD
There’s a famous painting entitled “The Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane,” in which the artist, Heinrich Hofmann, depicts Jesus on His knees in prayer with His hands clasped and stretched out before Him. The darkness of the painting is broken only by a halo of light around Jesus’ head and a heavenly light above. Interestingly, Hofmann chose not to paint the garden. It almost looks like Jesus is in a desert instead. In this way Hofmann captured something of the agony that Jesus endured during this long night of prayer.

For the past four days, we have looked at Jesus’ eloquent prayer in John 17. Today’s prayer contrasts greatly with that long prayer. Today’s prayer is short and agonized. (This same prayer is also recorded in Mark 14:32–42.) In it, we see the depths of Jesus’ humanity. Realizing the horrors that await Him, Jesus took several disciples to a secluded place for prayer. He sought their support because He was sorrowed to the point of death (Matt. 26:38).

Both Matthew and Mark record that Jesus prayed the same thing three times. Acknowledging God’s power to do anything, Jesus prayed that the cup of God’s wrath (referring to the Cross) might be taken from Him. But notice that He immediately followed this prayer with a prayer of obedience: “Not as I will, but as you will” (v. 39).

You may recall from our study on September 15 that Jesus prayed a similar prayer just before His last Passover meal with His disciples. These prayers might be disturbing until we remember that Jesus, as human, was the only perfect human. In His humanity, Jesus felt the full terror of what lay ahead of Him. And in His humanity, He chose to be obedient to the Father.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Consider taking some time this week to really picture what Jesus went through in Gethsemane as He prayed. Think about His intense agony and His unbelievable obedience.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Read: Luke 22:39-44; Hebrews 5:7-10
He humbled himself and became obedient to death–even death on a cross! - Philippians 2:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
Charles Spurgeon, the noted nineteenth-century preacher, once asked, “Is it not a curious thing that, whenever God means to make a man great, He always breaks him in pieces first?”

Hebrews 5 says much the same thing regarding the life of Jesus. He learned obedience through His suffering (v. . We know that Jesus has always been perfect, but in His humanity, Jesus was utterly dependent upon the Father and submitted to Him completely. Having trusted Him to the point of death on the Cross, Jesus became the source of salvation for all who would obey Him (v. 9).

Today’s passage from Hebrews also says that Jesus’ prayers were heard because of His “reverent submission” (v. 7). And in today’s passage from Luke, we see just how fully Jesus submitted to the Father. Truly, Jesus lived out what He taught His disciples to pray: “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10).

Yesterday we focused on Jesus’ agony in Gethsemane; today we’ll focus on His obedience. Luke’s account adds some details that aren’t in either Matthew or Mark. First, Luke says that an angel ministered to Jesus, further indicating the intensity of Jesus’ wrestling in prayer. Luke goes on to say that instead of retreating from this battle, Jesus prayed even more earnestly (v. 44). As His anguish increased, Jesus didn’t pull back, but rather turned His entire being toward what God was asking of Him.

We don’t know how long Jesus prayed that night, but it had to have been at least several hours. All three Gospel accounts indicate that Jesus rose from prayer fully resolved to carry out what the Father asked. Both Matthew and Mark record that when He finished praying, Jesus said, “Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” (Matt. 26:46; Mark 14:42), purposefully walking toward Judas.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The hardest prayer we can pray is “not my will, but Your will.” Learning to submit to God is a lifelong process. It’s easy to think we’re submissive and obedient to God’s will when circumstances are favorable. But when hard times come into our lives and we’re forced to set aside our own dreams and to trust God, it gets much harder. As we contemplate the price that Jesus paid for us on the Cross, He becomes our constant reminder of a will fully submitted to the Father.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 23:26-43
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. - Ephesians 4:32
TODAY IN THE WORD
“ 'Father, forgive them!’ thus did He pray, E’en while His life-blood flowed fast away; Praying for sinners while in such woe–No one but Jesus ever loved so.” So reads one stanza of Avis B. Chistiansen’s hymn, “Blessed Redeemer.”

It’s not surprising that Jesus’ prayer of forgiveness from the cross has inspired hymns. Even people who aren’t familiar with the Bible know Jesus’ remarkable words: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (v. 34).

All four Gospels provide detailed accounts of Jesus’ trial, crucifixion, death, and resurrection. Luke, however, also records two interactions that Jesus had during His crucifixion that give us great insight into Jesus’ amazing character.

First, Jesus addressed the women who were part of the crowd following after Him. As these women mourned loudly for what was about to take place, Jesus informed them that their sorrow was misdirected. Since Jerusalem had rejected God’s Son, Jesus knew that judgment and destruction would come upon the city. The reference to a green tree (v. 31) was a reference to Jesus Himself. He wanted the crowd to consider their own fate: if this is what happens to an innocent man (the green tree also indicated innocence), then one could only imagine what would happen to a guilty person (a dry tree). In other words, Jesus was completely innocent, yet He paid the ultimate penalty before God for sin. What would happen to the truly guilty one? Jesus knew His final destination, but He wanted those who rejected Him to consider where they were headed.

Second, Luke tells us that Jesus prayed that the Father would forgive those who were crucifying Him! Jesus was in full control. John 10:18 records that Jesus said that He laid down His own life willingly. Even as they were pounding in the nails, Jesus loved His tormentors and prayed to the Father that even in their utter blindness they might receive the Father’s forgiveness.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
When Jesus prayed for His tormentors, He wasn’t overlooking their guilt. He brought them before the Father and asked that God would forgive them.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 27:45-56; Psalm 22
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me? - Psalm 22:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
Sometimes a poet captures an entire nation’s heart. For many, Robert Frost expresses the American spirit. Others point to Walt Whitman as the quintessential American voice. For ancient Israel, King David gave voice to their praise, fears, and faith. In Psalm 22, David consoled himself in the face of profound terror by recalling God’s past faithfulness. Even when he felt utterly forsaken, he took refuge in God’s character.

Centuries later, this lament became a prayer on the lips of our dying Savior. Although David didn’t know that he was writing prophetically, Psalm 22 perfectly articulated Jesus’ experience on the Cross. Utterly forsaken and mocked, Jesus cried out with the haunting question, “Why?” Yet as Pastor Brian Morgan says, “In his darkest hour, Jesus follows the practice of his whole life: He prays to His Father.”

Matthew tells us that three hours after Jesus was placed on the cross, He cried this lament in Aramaic (v. 46). A cry that came from the very core of His soul! This was the cry of One completely cut off from God . . . cut off from all goodness, all mercy, all hope.

As we read this probing cry, we have to ask ourselves, “Why would God forsake Jesus? Why would the Father forsake His beloved Son?” We must ask ourselves this question, because it was for our sake that the Father did this. Second Corin-thians 5:21 says, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” The Father’s abandonment of His Son must have been wrenching.

Those standing nearby mistakenly thought that Jesus was crying out to Elijah, since first-century Jews believed that Elijah would precede the Messiah’s coming. But more than mistaken, these bystanders were unwilling to really hear Jesus’ question. They taunted Jesus to see if Elijah really would come (v. 49).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Sometimes Christians think it isn’t spiritual to lament. But David realized his need to cry out to God, and so did our Lord Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 23:44-49; Mark 15:33-37
Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed and gave up his spirit. - John 19:30
TODAY IN THE WORD
The South African minister Andrew Murray once wrote, “Christ’s life and work, his suffering and death–it was all prayer, all dependence on God, trust in God, receiving from God, surrender to God. Thy redemption, O believer, is a redemption wrought out by prayer and intercession: thy Christ is a praying Christ.” In today’s study, we look at the very moment of Jesus’ death and see that He lived and ended His life in prayer.

The Gospels tell us that darkness covered the land as Jesus hung on the cross. It’s almost as if creation itself could barely endure this horrible sight. Yesterday we looked at Jesus’ cry of agony on the cross. But as we see today, almost as soon as Jesus prayed this prayer, He seemed to answer it with another one: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46).

As we have said before, Jesus died willingly. He was not some victim of circumstance; He deliberately faced His death as part of His obedience to the Father. Matthew 27:50 says that Jesus “gave up his spirit.” As Pastor Ray Stedman noted, “He wasn’t put to death, he gave up his spirit; he was obedient unto death.”

Recall that John 10:18 tells us that Jesus laid down His life of His own accord. That’s why Jesus could also cry out, “It is finished” (John 19:30). He had faithfully done what the Father had asked of Him.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today marks the end of our study of the spoken prayers of Jesus recorded in the Bible. (For the next few days, we’ll look at ways Jesus modeled prayer.) Why not take some time to review these past twelve days. What has impressed you most about how Jesus prayed? Is there some aspect of His prayer life that you never noticed before? Is there some example you want to incorporate in your own prayer time? From start to finish, we have seen that our Christ is a praying Christ!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Mark 1:32-39
He went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. - Matthew 14:23
TODAY IN THE WORD
Experts say that noise pollution is getting worse. In some major U.S. cities, noise levels have risen sixfold in the past fifteen years. American ears are bombarded by noise from airplanes, traffic, leaf blowers, TVs, and radios. Maybe it’s because we’re surrounded by so much noise that we find it difficult to appreciate solitude. But getting away alone with God is essential for our spiritual health. Today’s passage shows that Jesus Himself had to withdraw from the hustle and bustle to sit quietly before His Father.

Recall from our study on September 17 that Luke says that it was Jesus’ custom to withdraw and pray by Himself (cf. Matt. 14:13; Luke 5:16; 9:18). Today’s passage gives us a good insight into this practice.

One thing that becomes quite clear from Mark is that Jesus was very involved in people’s lives. When He sought solitude it wasn’t because He was selfish or antisocial. Mark says that the whole town of Capernaum was gathered outside Jesus’ door (vv. 32-34)! And there’s no indication that He turned anyone away. Other passages record that Jesus was pressed in by large crowds (e.g., Matt. 13:2; Mark 5:31). Yet verse 35 in our passage today shows that Jesus maintained balance by going off to a quiet place where He could be alone with the Father in prayer.

Quiet times in prayer were absolutely essential for Jesus to maintain focus, to fellowship with the Father, and to do His will. This is key. Notice that when Simon Peter and others came looking for Jesus (v. 36), they wanted Him to return to Capernaum to heal more people. But Jesus refused and told them that it was time to move on. If we don’t see that Jesus’ time alone with God helped Him to discern that the Father was sending Him further into Galilee, Jesus’ refusal might seem harsh. Instead it’s an indication of His complete submission to the Father’s will.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Andrew Murray wrote that “prayer in Christ on earth and in us cannot be two different things.” If Jesus needed to retreat for prayer, we also need to do the same. Why not plan a private prayer retreat? Is there a park nearby where you can be free from worry and distraction? Consider making a date with the Lord to spend time in prayer. You may consider choosing a time when the rest of the family will not be at home and you can have a “mini retreat” inside.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 6:12-16
Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. - Ephesians 6:18
TODAY IN THE WORD
Abraham Lincoln once said, “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.”

Throughout history, believers have turned to prayer when faced with difficult decisions, just as Jesus Himself did. Although it was Jesus’ habit to withdraw from the crowds to pray alone (see yesterday’s study), the Gospels also link this custom to significant developments in Jesus’ ministry. Today we see that Jesus prayed for a long time before He made one of the most important decisions during His incarnation–choosing His disciples.

Luke tells us that Jesus spent an entire night in prayer before making this decision, but Luke doesn’t give us much more information than that. We don’t know if there were other potential candidates that Jesus considered or how Jesus prayed for Judas, who would later betray Him. Luke simply tells us that after praying Jesus called all His disciples and selected the Twelve (v. 13). A very simple account of a very important event!

An entire night in prayer–why so much time spent in prayer for this one decision? Because so much was resting on it! The disciples were handpicked by Jesus as God’s chosen instruments to carry on His work after His resurrection. These few men would be the ones who began the process of bringing the gospel of Jesus to the ends of the earth. Through these select individuals, the church would be established and nourished. Through the Holy Spirit, these disciples and the early Christians would indelibly change the course of human history forever!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
John 4:34 records Jesus saying “My food is to do the will of him who sent me.” And Jesus discerned the Father’s will through prayer.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Mark 6:30-44
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. - Luke 24:30
TODAY IN THE WORD
Imagine for a moment that you’re with a large group attending a Bible conference on spiritual renewal. Toward the end of day one, you’re deeply blessed by all the rich teaching, but . . . you’re getting hungry! No one appears to be making dinner preparations. In fact, the conference organizers are beginning to look worried! Finally the speaker asks some assistants to bring their leftover lunches. Before your very eyes, the speaker blesses the food and begins to distribute it among the many people.

This is what the disciples experienced when Jesus fed over five thousand people with just five loaves and two fish. They never forgot this--it’s the only miracle recorded in all four Gospels!

After exhausting ministry, Jesus pulled His disciples aside for rest. But the crowds eagerly followed, and Jesus began to teach them (v. 34). Because they were in a solitary place

(v. 32), the disciples became concerned about dinner for this crowd. In contrast to their anxiety, Jesus started asking people to set the table, so to speak. When everyone was ready, Jesus took seemingly meager provisions, and He blessed the food according to the custom of the day. But what happened next was far from customary!

Mark tells us that the number of men who ate was five thousand, but we can safely assume that with women and children present, the number could easily have exceeded fifteen thousand.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Many families have the habit of giving thanks before meals. Some say a set prayer; others sing the doxology. Still others simply pray spontaneously.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 9:28-36
We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only. - John 1:14
TODAY IN THE WORD
Perhaps you’ve heard stories about believers who are just about to die, and who hear heavenly music or see a bright light. Unfortunately popular interest in “near-death” experiences might make us suspicious of some such accounts. But there are numerous accounts of Christians who have somehow glimpsed eternity just before they entered it.

In some respects, the Transfiguration is like these accounts. When still on earth, and while He was headed for the Cross, Jesus stepped back into eternity and was manifest in full glory before a small number of His disciples. This amazing event took place just after Peter had confessed that Jesus was the Messiah (v. 20). You may also recall that just after Peter’s confession, Jesus told His disciples that He must suffer and die, but that He would be raised from the dead on the third day (v. 22). About eight days later, Jesus was transfigured.

Just before the event of the Transfiguration, Luke tells us that Jesus was praying (v. 29). Jesus didn’t go up the mountain to be transfigured–He went up the mountain to pray, as was His custom. And it was as He was talking with the Father that the Father revealed to Him and the disciples a taste of what was to come. Yes, the Son of Man had to suffer and die, but on the other side of that event was unspeakable glory. This pointed toward to Jesus’ Second Coming.

Although all the Gospel writers show the link between prayer and significant events in Jesus’ life, Luke’s Gospel is notable in this regard. For example, Luke records many of the prayers surrounding Jesus’ birth. Luke tells us that Jesus spent the night praying before choosing the Twelve (Luke 6:12). And Luke notes that Jesus was praying when He was transfigured.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If Jesus, fully human and fully God, needed to bring everything to His Father in prayer, how much more do we need to do the same thing? His life encourages us to bring every decision, every dream, every trial before Him in prayer.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 24:40-53
We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. - Romans 8:26
TODAY IN THE WORD
The well-loved hymn, “I Know that My Redeemer Lives,” contains this beautiful line: “He lives, to bless me with his love; He lives, to plead for me above; He lives, my hungry soul to feed; He lives, to help in time of need.”

What a comfort to know that our Savior blesses us with His love and prays for us! Jesus’ work of redemption didn’t stop at His resurrection–it goes on into eternity as He continues to pour out His love through His Spirit, blessing those who trust in Him.

After Jesus was raised from the dead and before He ascended into heaven, He appeared numerous times to His disciples in His resurrected body. It must have been awesome to behold, because Luke tells us that the disciples thought they were seeing a ghost! But Jesus reassured them that it was He and proceeded to instruct them in the Scriptures (v. 45). It would seem that the disciples were then equipped with all they needed, but Jesus told them to stay in Jerusalem. His great gift of the Spirit was yet to come.

Luke then tells us that Jesus ascended as He was blessing His disciples. If we look at Acts 1, which begins the sequel to Luke’s Gospel, we see this same account repeated. In fact, Acts 1:8 tells us that the disciples were instructed to wait for the Holy Spirit.

Throughout our study this month we haven’t focused much on the Holy Spirit. The Gospels make it clear, however, that Jesus’ life was led by the Spirit (cf. Mark 1:12). Yet the outpouring of the Holy Spirit had to wait until Jesus had been resurrected and ascended into heaven.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Have you ever wondered to whom exactly you should pray? To the Father, to Jesus, to the Holy Spirit? In truth, we’re free to pray to any member of the Trinity! But Scripture teaches that we’re able to have direct access to the Father because of the Son (Heb. 10:19-20), and that we pray empowered by the Holy Spirit. Today’s verse from Romans shows us that the Spirit enables us to pray in our human weakness. Truly Jesus has blessed us by bringing us before the Father through the Spirit!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Revelation 4-5
My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. - Mark 11:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
Are you one of those people who usually reads the end of a book first? If so, you’ll enjoy our Scripture today because we’re looking at the end of the greatest story ever told! This month, we’ve focused on Jesus’ prayers. Today, however, we’re going to look at the prayers offered to Jesus. So let’s fast forward to the glorious part of the story at the end of time, where we see that the story of praising Jesus will never end!

The Book of Revelation was written by the apostle John toward the end of his life. Because of his faith, he was banished to a small island off the coast of Turkey called Patmos. Revelation 1:10 says that John was “in the Spirit” and that it was during this time that the Lord revealed to him a series of visions about the end times. This recalls the link between the Spirit and prayer that we discussed yesterday.

The first thing that John sees in the vision in today’s passage is a large throne. John can only describe the One on the throne in terms of precious stones and gems (4:3). The throne itself is likened to a series of natural wonders, such as rainbows and lightning. Next John sees four living creatures who nearly defy description, but what they’re doing is quite clear: they join the twenty-four elders in unending praise of the One on the throne.

The scroll that John sees (Rev. 5:1) tells the rest of the story of God’s perfect plan, but John weeps because there’s no one worthy of opening this scroll. Then John sees the Lamb, the One who was slain. This One is worthy to open the scroll. Because of this, a new song of praise begins in heaven. It’s begun by the elders; then the angels join in. Finally, every creature in all creation joins in this new song of praise for the worthy Lamb.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
This side of heaven, Jesus’ earthly prayer life teaches us how to pray. Whether it’s lament, petition, or thanksgiving, we’ve seen the richness and depth of Jesus’ prayers. But in heaven, the only prayer we’ll have is one of praise of the risen Christ. Think of it! There will be no more tears and no more sadness, just ceaseless praise of God. And even before we’re part of that heavenly choir, we can start practicing right now. As believers, this is what we were made for.