The Power of Prayer and The Law of Transitive Properties

AM Psalm 5, 6 • PM Psalm 10, 11
Dan. 2:1-16 • 1 John 2:1-11 • John 17:12-19

In our gospel reading today, Jesus prays for his disciples. It is an amazing exposition about Jesus’ ministry, his intentions, and his desires for his followers. It strikes me that Jesus is advocating for his followers and those for whom he came to an all-knowing God. We believe God sent him with a purpose, and to me it is like Jesus is explaining his work back to God. It’s nice to think that even Jesus felt the need to express to God his hopes for those he loved.

For me verse 23 drives it home. “I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” Jesus in us, and God in Jesus unites us as the body of Christ. The connective tissue is not the things we tend to think of in “religion”; dedication, or piety, or even sacrifice. The connective tissue is love. It is so easy (especially during lent) to challenge ourselves to “be better people”, but the real challenge of being a disciple of Christ is our flawed attempts to replicate unconditional love. In this passage, God’s love for us is the same love he has for his own son, and that love is what we are called to share with each other. This is all too often easier said than done.

It is good for us to remember that we like Christ can call out to God on behalf of those we strive to love, which can deepen our love for God and for each other. It is in this action that we get closer to becoming completely one in Christ.

Written by Dan Robinson

Dan Robinson is the Director of Media Ministries at St Paul’s, overseeing streaming all of our services online.