When You Need Jesus’ Love – Look Here

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When I need Jesus’ love, I turn to my favorite chapter of the Bible. But any time I try to talk or write about it, I struggle to find the words…

I spent yesterday afternoon working on this post; however, as I thought about it overnight, I realized that although what I’d written was informational, it failed to express why John 17 blesses me beyond words.

Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer is an intimate look at our Savior’s heart. It reveals Jesus’ love for the Father, His disciples, and you and me.

The Lord knew He was about to go through terrible suffering. In the coming hours, He would be rejected, betrayed, and endure unimaginable pain. And for the only time in all eternity, He would do it all alone … briefly forsaken by Father God.

Not because it was forced on Him or because He was a victim, but because He chose to do so to save sinful people like you and me.

He said…

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:13

Before He gave His life, He spent time in prayer. The other Gospels share His prayers in the Garden where He pleads with the Father to remove this cup of suffering. But John shares a conversation that focuses on those He loves.

Jesus’ love for the Father is evident immediately.

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so He can give glory back to You.”

John 17:1

His love for His disciples is evident as He pours out His heart.

“Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to You. Holy Father, You have given me Your name; now protect them by the power of Your name so that they will be united just as we are.”

 “I’m not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by Your truth; teach them Your word, which is truth.”

John 17:11, 15–17

Jesus’ love for you and me is stated clearly.

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as You and I are one—as You are in me, Father, and I am in You. And may they be in us so that the world will believe You sent me.”

John 17:20–21

And He did everything to reveal God’s love for the world.

 I have revealed You to them, and I will continue to do so. Then Your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”

John 17:26

I wonder if we believers would be more united in faith if we focused on Jesus’ love in this prayer rather than academically trying to analyze the Bible and make it fit a changing culture.

I know, I talk about Jesus’ love repetitively. But I believe that’s the point…

“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

John 3:16 (AMP)

Jesus is God and willingly gave Himself to save everyone, wanting them to KNOW, TRUST, and LOVE Him. And what does He ask of us?

That we would love God and one another. (Matthew 22:37–38)

Let’s pray…

A Prayer to Receive and Share Jesus’ Love

Father, thank you so much for inspiring John to share this personal prayer between You and our Savior, Jesus. He faithfully showed Your love throughout His days on earth, but in this tender moment when He could have been completely self-absorbed, He focused on His love for You and the people You created.

Please forgive me for the many times I center my thoughts and prayers on the things I want and need. Forgive me for failing to love as You desire because I’m selfishly focused on myself.

I want to love like Jesus. I want to love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Please fill me with Jesus’ love and the desire to share it generously and enthusiastically.

Please unite Your children, Lord. Forgive us for allowing human ideas and opinions to keep us from coming together in Your truth and loving as You want. Help us approach Your Word humbly and prayerfully, and by the power of Your Spirit, fill us with wisdom and understanding.

I love You, Lord, and surrender myself to You. Please give me all I need to glorify You in all things. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.

Here is a list of things Jesus prayed for you and me in John 17 found at Got Questions:

• Know God and His Son, Jesus Christ (verse 3)
• Be protected from [abandonment of faith] (verse 11)
• Be one in spirit as the Father and Son are one (verse 11)
• Be filled with His joy (verse 13)
• Be kept from the evil one (verse 15)
• Be sanctified through God’s Word (verse 17)
• Remain unified in Christ throughout the generations (verses 20–21)
• Let our love convey Christ’s message to the world (verse 23)
• Join Him in heaven for all eternity (verse 24)
• Experience the same kind of love for each other that the Father and Son share (verse 26)

The Lord loves us more than we can understand this side of heaven. That’s why we are called to live with faith … trusting that His grace, mercy, and love will never fail and never forsake.

Take a moment to read Jesus’ prayer in John 17 – here.

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