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■ m ü m m b m m Page 8...The Portland Observer...February 5, 1992 I Portland Observer RELIGION Scripture o f the Wkefi John 3:16 The Lord’s High-Priestly Prayer: Joy and Victory in Jesus! BY MICHAEL LINDSEY, Dean o f North Portland Bible College The B ible text fo r next w eek's Sunday School lesson is John 17:1-11, 20-21. We hope all our readers will take advantage o f the Sunday School classes offered in churches throughout our community. Sunday School isn't ju s t fo r children! L ast week we took a careful look at the traditional “ L ord’s Prayer” from M atthew 6, and saw that it was a model for all our prayers today. This w eek’s lesson is drawn from the great interces sory prayer of our Lord, which fills all o f John 17. In a real sense this is the L o rd ’s Prayer, his own expression of love for his heavenly Father, and his concerns for his disciples. He spoke these words on the night he was betrayed into the hands of the Jew ish priests. Jesus and his disciples had shared the Last Supper together in the U pper Room at M ark’s house (as I suppose), and had left that place (John 14:31). Following this prayer they descended into the Cedron (Kidron) V alley (18:1) and after the prayer they w ent back up the eastern side into the Garden of Gethsem ene (Mark 14:26, 32). Mr. W estcott, in his com m entary, m akes the plausible suggestion that the Lord continued his discourse with the disciples (John 15 and 16), and this prayer, in the very courtyard o f the Tem ple, which overlooks the Kidron Valley. And so Jesus prayed this prayer at the climax o f his earthly ministry. For three years he had prepared him self for the cross, and for three years he had prepared the twelve to continue his work and spread the good news o f his kingdom and salvation. Though he repeatedly had asserted that his “ hour” had not yetcom e (2:4; 7 :6 ,8 ,3 0 ; 8:20), on this day he could finally say “ the hour has com e” (17:1; also 12:23, 27; 13:1). Let there be no mistake: Jesus Christ came into the world with one objective, to die on the cross for the sins o f the world (1 John 2:2). As we read this chapter, we are being invited to “ eavesdrop” on the personal prayer life o f our Lord Jesus. I’m quite sure that the Apostle heard this prayer on that solemn occasion, and that the Spirit recalled it to his m ind as he wrote this Gospel. Repeat edly we can read about Jesus’ prayers, but only little bits o f the prayers them selves are usually recorded (for ex am ple, Matt. 14:23; Mark 1:35; Luke 3:21, 5:16; 11:1). As a human being, Jesus needed to communicate with the Father in prayer, and he sets us the perfect example of prayer - and Spirit- filled living. This sometimes puzzles skeptics and believers alike, for it seems to be a case of “ God talking to him self.” And yet the clear claim o f the G ospels is that Jesus is truly, fully God, one with the Father. Nowhere is the essential truth o f the Trinity more clearly proclaimed than in this prayer. The Father and the Son (Jesus Christ) are one (John 17:3, 10-11,21-23), and the Son is eternal in his glory (17:5, 24), and yet they are separate persons, able to glorify one another (17:1), love one another (17:24), and give one another the care o f the disciples. Jesus’ divinity does not ne gate his need tocom m unicate with God the Father; it actually proves the im por tance o f his prayers, and their unlimited power. This particular prayer is sometimes called the L ord’s High-Priestly Prayer, and for good reason. In the Old T esta ment worship, the most solemn occa sion for G od’s people was the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur; fully described in Leviticus 16, and again, Hebrews 9:1-10). The High Priest o f the Israel ites would first offer a sacrifice for himself, and then a sacrifice for all the nation. Then he would enter into the Holy of Holies, the heart of the T aber nacle (later the Temple), where the very presence o f Yahweh (the Lord) was revealed. Only the High Priest could enter this most sacred room, and only on the Day of Atonement. In the same way, the Lord Jesus was preparing him self to offer the su preme sacrifice for sins, his own life’s blood. His prayer to the Father em pha sizes his own finished work, on the cross, and his concern that his disciples would be blessed with eternal life (John 17:3) through this sacrifice. Hebrews tells us that Christ, following his death, brought his own blood into the Holy of Holies in heaven, having obtained eter nal redemption (Heb. 9:11-12). W ith all this as background, we can ready the prayer itself with respect ful awe. Its outline is clear: first, he prays concerning him self and the Fa ther (17:1-5); second, concerning his immediate disciples (17:6-19); and third, concerning his entire Church through out this age (17:20-26). O ur lesson text includes only part of the latter two sections, but it should all be read to gether. Even though this prayer was spo ken in the dead of night, only hours before the agony of the crucifixion, the tone is filled with joy, confidence, and victory. Jesus was close enough now to the cross to see his work as finished (17:4; cp. 19:30). The Father had given him the pow er, though the cross, to give eternal life to all his disciples (17:2-3). And he looked ahead to his resurrection and ascension into heaven, where he would resume that rightful glory he had surrendered when he took on human flesh (17:5; Phil 2:6-7). He repeatedly emphasized the God- centered nature of redem ption; seven times the Lord said the believers were Orle On One Income Tax Service To Donate Ten Percent Of Fees To Client’s Favorite Church Or Charity REVIVAL given to him by the Father (17:2,6[twice], 9,11,12,24). Mr Scofield’s notes say it well: “ Jesus Christ is G od’s love-gift to the world, and believers are the F a ther’s love-gift to Jesus C hrist.” I be lieve this gives us a marvelous security, not based on our imperfect ability to do all that God requires, but based instead on the Father’s faithfulness to his Son. Never let Satan tear up your heart, saying you aren’t good enough for C hrist’s salvation, or that you have sinned too much since you cam e to Christ. Your salvation depends only on the Father’s prom ise, and your position in Christ. If you have trusted in Christ Jesus alone for your salvation, then you may be assured that you are one of these whom the Father has given to Jesus Christ, and that you have eternal life. Another repeated emphasis in our L ord’s prayer is that his disciples are taken out o f the world, that evil world system which opposes the Kingdom of God at every turn (1 John 2:15-17). Sometimes in this prayer, “ world” refers to the earth, or the whole human race (John 17:5, 15). But more often, the Lord prayed for the safe-keeping o f the disciples who would remain in the midst of the world system (1 7 :6 ,9 ,1 1 ,1 4 -1 6 , 18) and that even more would be saved out of the world through the word these disciples would spread (17:21,25). It is im portant for us today to see that the Lord prayed for the disciples to be “ sanctified” by G od’s truth, re vealed in his W ord (17:17-19). To be “ sanctified” is to be set apart, made holy, or righteous. Jesus prayed that the Father would set apart his disciples, and keep them from “ the evil on e,’’ Satan (17:15). We can know that we are in Christ, if we can sense the divine working of the Father (through the Holy Spirit), “ setting us apart” from evil desires and deeds, and leading us into a holy life. Frankly, if I see someone who claims to be a Christian, but doesn’t have any sign o f being “ set apart” from an evil lifestyle, I doubt he/she is a true be liever. The Father alone knows the heart, so I may be mistaken; but the Scrip tures do tell me that the children o f God are “ obviously” different from the world (1 John 3:10, NIV). M ost importantly, I w ouldn’t w ant anyone to fool them selves, thinking they can profess Christ as Savior and still live like the devil It’s a real encouragem ent to me, to know that Jesus had me in m in d -a n d all o f us believers, some 1,950 years la te r-e v en as he prepared for the agony o f the cross. He knew all my failures, yet he loved me. He knew my w eak ness, so he prayed for my strength. He knew my frailty, so he prayed that I might be one with him. Hallelujah! W hat a Savior! Portland Community College presents “ A Gospel Explo.s..i..o...n” as part of Black History Month returns to each client’s favorite church or charity. Formerly a veteran tax auditor and revenue agent for the Internal Revenue Service, Currie believes it is time to give something back to the com m unity, “ and this is the best method I can think o f.” She also “ gives som ething back” by employing the know ledge she gained while being on the IRS side o f the fence to uncover tax advantages or liabilities that other accountants may not find. Currie is licensed to prepare both federal and State tax returns and quar terly reports. Her com pany also pre pares business returns. “ Our goal is to discover errors within a business operation before the IRS does,” Currie Said, ‘ ‘This approach avoids tax problem s and the added cost of penal ties and interest. It also gives business people peace of mind and confidence in their daily operations.” Currie has a Bachelor o f Science degree in Business A dm inistration from Portland State University. She is also a Licensed Tax Consultant and Enrolled Agent. • • ■» Pastor, C arter Temple C.M .E. Church Chicago, Illinois National President, Operation PUSH at Allen Tem ple C.M .E. Church 4236 N.E. 8th Avenue Portland, Oregon Valerie Currie, ow ner o f One on O ne Income Tax & Bookkeeping Serv ice, in Northeast Portland, believes in giving help to her com m unity while selling professional assistance to her clients. Adding a little charity to the tax season, Currie has decided to donate ten percent o f her fees for preparing tax Dates: February 9th, 10th, 1 1th at 7:00 p.m. Please Come Participating choirs and soloists are: St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church Emanuel Temple Choir His Song Isaya Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church Carl and Audre Parker Join us for a memorable and joyous evening. All PCC Black History Month events are free and open to the public. Call 244-6111, ext. 4535, for a brochure. AJÍ M allory C hurch of C hrist 3 9 0 8 NE M A L L O R Y AVENU E SU ND AY SCHEDULE Bible Study 9:30 am . Morning Worship 10:45 am . M en’s Training Leadership W om en’s Bible Class D on’t Miss it! 5:00 pm. Jesus Loves You! ThePrudential A llen Temp le Jim Werner Districi Agent, 19 Years Service i L J ^ B Ì a a u p I t i s s t ( H t j n t o 4236 NE Eighth Avenue (corner of 8th & Skidmore) n a r ^ Radio Ministry Each Sunday, 11:00 AM - KBMS Portland, Oregon 97211 288-1092 (503) 287-0261 R E S TO R IN G Phillip 5. Nekon Pastor N E W TESTAMENT C H R IS TIA N ITY Jesus Christ Is Salvation 8101 N. Fiske Avenue Portland, Oregon 97203 Union Avenue Baptist Church 5029 N. E. MLK Jr. Blvd. Portland, OR 97211 Telephone Number - 287-8344 Study Phon«-. 2 9 9 -1 9 1 1 Sunday Service 10:45 Sunday School 9 :3 0 Bible Study 6 :0 0 Evening Service 7 :0 0 RM. I He that is too good to realize that he need to be saved, cannot be helped. But he that recognize he has a need, can be helped. What A Friend We Have In Jesus Are you a friend of Jesus? Do you want Jesus to be your friend? We want to be your friend and would love to have you as our friend. Pat toc Rev James C E Faulkner Theme: W hatever you're going to do for the Lord, do it now Everyone is welcome to this church, (the body of Christ). There is a place and a work here for you. I Pet«r tv. 11 Rev. A. G. May, Pastor ► M in iste r Gregory Fobbs 6:00 pm. Attended nursery for all services W ednesday prayer m eeting and bible study 7:30 pm. r c l j I Church Pho.»«: 2 9 9 -0 1 4 7 CME CL urch Psalm 34:3 11300 N.E. Halsey, Suite 100 Portland, OR 97220 Residence: 503-771-6113 j Evening Worship I • . & MT OLIVET B aptist C hurch Has moved Sunday services to Stone Tower Church, N.E. Sandy Blvd. & 30th Worship Services 8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Church School 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Bible Study, Wednesdays, 116 N.E. Schuyler 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Radio Ministry each Sunday, 8:00 a.m. on KBMS A Teaching Church With A Reaching Ministry Dr. James E. Martin, Senior Pastor Church Office 116 N.E. Schuyler St. (503) 284-1954
