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Page 8...The Portland Observer...February 5, 1992
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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
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B
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( H
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4236 NE Eighth Avenue
(corner of 8th & Skidmore)
n
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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.
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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
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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
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Evening Worship
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• . &
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