John 17:11-24
I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.
15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
20 “My prayer is not for them alone.
I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.
May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
Parenting
Josephus the Historian writes in Antiquities 18: Chapter 3
"And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day." Josephus is recording the unity of the Christians. Truly a Work of God in these circumstance.
Steadfast.
Luke 2
6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
Still Considering Mother's Day.
Jesus would grow up with examples of Parenting. When we consider just the very few Written by Father God parts of Jesus growing up and doing ministry - we could find this prayer could be Mary praying for Jesus.
God could have chosen any woman to parent Jesus and God gave us a woman trying her best and not always making parenting look golden.
Of course, we could say again - wonderful we all make messes. Maybe really what God is saying is Trust Me. The mixed up muddled part of life - has a Plan.
The Plan is and was and will be our God's. Alleluia.
Father God,
The mystery explaining Your holiness is great. Jesus descended - our very God - came to live this life with truth and grace. And Jesus ascended higher than all the heavens. Jesus fills the whole universe. Ephesians 4 tells us.
Father God, You are that gentle and this vast - You fill the whole universe.
In Grace upon Grace, Jesus was fully human in every way, that Jesus might make atonement for the sins of the people.
Therefore,
Let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. Fight the good fight of the faith.
Pursue righteousness, faith, love, perseverance
Live in us Jesus. Let us Look for More Heaven on earth. Amen.
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