A HOLY WEEK JOURNEY IN ADVERSITY TOWARDS RESILIENCE
HOLY WEEK READING-REFLECTION PLAN
7th April 2020, Tuesday: John 17:22-26 O How He Loves You And Me
Begin by prayerfully reading the whole of John 17.
As Jesus concludes His prayer, perhaps these last few verses before His ordeal reveal what’s foremost on His heart? First, implicit throughout Jesus’ prayers is His deference to the Father, and this spirit of honour is evident as He closes His prayer. All things have been given to Him by the Father: the disciples, the glory as well as His being sent out to the world. Second, the love of the Father is the source of all love. The Father loved Jesus before the foundation of the world. Twice Jesus declared that he experienced the love of the Father (17:24, 26). Third, Jesus wants to share with the disciples both the love and the glory that the Father has given Him. AND wonder of wonders, the Father loved them (that means the Father loves you and me too!) even as He has loved Him (17:23)
Does this constant repeating of the love of the Father lead to a loss of freshness and wonder? It shouldn’t. But it can certainly happen. Nonetheless, throughout the Upper Room conversations, I can’t help but feel Jesus’ love and affection for His disciples. And I sense it again even as Jesus concludes His prayer. His consistent desire is to include them in all He has and enjoys in His glory and in the love of the Father. If Christ is for us, then God the Father is for us, and God the Holy Spirit is for us. Who then can be against us?
Adapted John Chong Ser Choon
Even as Jesus ends His prayer, what is your response to Him this Holy Week? Let me share a song that might be part of your response. The song is entitled, The Father’s Song.
I have heard so many songs,
Listened to a thousand tongues
But there is one
That sounds above them all.
The Father’s song, the Father’s love
You’ve sung it over me and for eternity
It’s written on my heart
Heaven’s perfect melody
The Creator’s symphony
You are singing over me
The Father’s song
Heaven’s perfect mystery
The King of love has sent for me
You are singing over me
The Father’s song
Matt Redman
Write your prayer of response