February 15th, Sunday: John chaps.17-18

John 17

in His high priestly prayer, Jesus prayed for Himself, His disciples and all of His church.

The prayer reveals our Lord's spiritual priorities – glorifying the Father, the unity of the church, the sanctity of the church and the winning of the lost world.

Are these priorities in your life?

It also reveals the gifts He has given to His people – that is eternal life, the Word and His glory.

But note that the believers are the Father's gift to Him.

Just as Jesus is the Father's lovegift to us.

It's all about grace.

The word 'world' appears 19 times in this prayer, for this prayer tells us how to overcome the world.

We must seek God's glory first, experience His joy, be sanctified by His Word, seek to win the lost and encourage the unity of God's people.

John 18

Judas depended on the strength of numbers.

Peter on the strength of his arm.

Annas and Caiaphas on the strength of their position.

But Jesus on the strength of love and devotion of the Father

Jesus had a cup in His hand, not a sword.

But that cup was His scepter.

He was in complete control.

On the other hand, Peter fought when he should have yielded, and followed when he should have fled.

Yielding and fleeing looked like defeat, but they were the Father's will.

And Peter should have obeyed.

When Jesus was giving His witness to the High Priest, Peter was outside denying the Lord.

Which was the successful witness?

Peter or Jesus?

That's pretty obvious.

Pilate the Roman governor was worried about the threat of another kingdom.

Verse 36 is certainly a rebuke to believers who followed the example of Peter.

At Pentecost, Peter wielded the sword of the Spirit and won a victory.