My dear friends,

The hour for which Jesus came into this world has finally arrived. During the course of His life and ministry, we were reminded often that “His hour was not yet come.” This was a reminder to those around Him that He came for a high and noble purpose. You see, Jesus came to this world for one purpose, and that purpose was to die for our sin – John 18:37. His prayer was for the Father to assist Him in those last hours of life that He might accomplish the task for which He came. His desire was to go to the cross, die for sin, satisfy the Father and then be glorified in being raised from the dead!

Why did Jesus pray such a prayer? It seems that every attempt was made by man and Satan to keep Jesus away from the cross. Later, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus came under direct satanic attack. Satan tried to kill Jesus in the Garden to prevent Him from reaching Calvary – Luke 22:41-44. Jesus’ prayer was answered in that the Father calling brought Him safely to the cross where He was crucified and paid the price for the eternal redemption of our souls.

Jesus knew the hour of His death was upon Him. He knew that He was about to finish all that the Father had sent Him to do. Therefore, He mentions His great accomplishment to the Father in Heaven.

What is His accomplishment? Providing a way for sinners to enter into eternal life – v. 2-3! When Jesus died on the cross, He cried, “It is finished!” – John 19:30. What Jesus meant by this statement was that the price of eternal redemption had been paid in full!

Let’s face it we are in a battle. For too many believers, the Christian life is a football field and not a battlefield. When will we learn that the devil hates us, opposes us and often attacks us? I am grateful that I have the Lord’s promise of His protection – Ps. 34:7 and of His presence – Heb. 13:5.

Jesus asked the Father to set these men apart from the world by the Word of God! His prayer is that they might live their lives against the backdrop of the Scriptures and that they might live lives pleasing to the Father.

The Lord’s will has not changed! He still intends for His people to live clean, holy and separated lives. This purity that the Lord desires is not a purity based on the opinions and rules of men, but rather it is a righteousness based upon His Word! His Word is truth and will never change.

I pray God that as he ascended into heaven promising that he would send a comforter, we will remember that he is with us even now and that through continual prayers we will remember that in the struggles we face in life we are not alone. Amen.

   Rev’d. Pauline Ramsey-Burns.

 

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