Retracing Jesus’ Steps to Easter, Part 4
“Jesus knew on the evening of Passover Day that it would be his last night on earth before returning to his Father.”
John 13:1 (TLB)
“Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.”
Mark 14:26 (NLT)
One of the ways that Jesus showed His disciples the full extent of His love was through the object lesson of washing their feet, as we looked at yesterday. With only hours now from His death, another way He showed them His love was by saying the things that needed to be said that would prepare them for what was going to happen. John chapters 13-17 tell us what Jesus said to His disciples on the night before His death. All five chapters record the words He spoke in one evening when, with only the disciples as His audience, He gave final instructions to prepare them for His death and resurrection, events that would change their lives forever. You might call this Jesus’ farewell address.
If you knew your time was limited, you would be motivated to say the things that you’ve put off saying. The instructions Jesus gave His disciples in these five chapters were vital to their success in processing the horrible scene that was about to unfold. He spoke to them of His love and commanded them to love one another. He predicted Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial despite Peter’s adamant claim of loyalty. He assured them of where He was going and that He would be preparing them a place. He answered their questions and settled their doubts about who He was and who they could be through faith in Him. He told them of the gift the Father would send, the Holy Spirit, who would come to live within them, offering to them His abiding presence and power. He left them with His peace that would keep them through any storm. He used a common illustration of the vine and the branch to describe the relationship He sought with them, that would make their lives fruitful and fulfilled. He was honest about the grief they were about to feel and yet said God would soon turn their grief into great joy! And then He prayed with them and for them.
John 17 records the prayer that Jesus prayed for His disciples. It’s amazing to me that He included you and me in that prayer as well. Listen to His prayer in John 17:20 (NIV), "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message….” Jesus had every believer who would ever respond to His invitation to follow Him on His mind in that garden when He prayed. And what did He pray for? Verse 21 says, “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.”
In Jesus’ final prayer only moments before His betrayal, He prayed for us! I want to challenge you to carve out some time today to read John 13-17 and listen to the words that Jesus spoke to His disciples and the prayer He prayed for them and us the night before His death. If you knew your time was limited, you would not put off saying the things that need to be said and praying for those closest to you. So, why not say it now? Pray it now! The truth is you don’t know how much time you have, and you don’t want to leave any regrets. You may need to write down what you want to say for clarity. Think it through. Then plan a time that will be uninterrupted that is good for you and them. It may be over coffee or a dinner. Let them know how much you love them and in what ways you are praying for them. You’ll be amazed at what a difference it will make in your relationship.
Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.
Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.