Scripture
“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24
Observation
In what should more accurately be condsidered "The Lord's Prayer", in John 17 we get an inside look at what is on the heart and mind of Jesus as He heads to The Cross. He looks forward to the day when He is reunited with His Heavenly Father, His present disciples, and His future disciples. In the scope of one chapter we see what matters most to The Savior of The World. Jesus is going to endure the worst torture imaginable because He actually wants to be with us and He wants to remove sin, death, and hell from the equation for all who would believe.
Application
I just sat with this scripture this morning and let it sink in past my cynicism. Jesus ACTUALLY does WANT to be with me. He doesn't HAVE to be with me like a teacher has to be with their student, or a laywer has to be with their client, or a doctor has to be with their patient because its their job. I've always kind of felt like God is obligated to be with me because, well, He's God, and it's kind of His job. Yet, right here, Jesus in His own prayer, was thinking about the day we are united face to face in eternity. I think about how it felt as a child when my parents took time from their busy schedules to get on the floor on play G.I. Joes with me because they wanted to be with me. I think about how it felt when I was riding my bike by my neighbors house and Mark Beaudet wanted to be my best friend. I think about how it felt when Cyndi chose to love me for life though she had a whole world of much better options. I think about how it feels that she keeps choosing me every day though I've traded a grad bod for a Dad bod. I think about how it feels when my boys, some married, some not, but all with lots going on, want to actually hang out with me. There's something in all of us that wants to be wanted. I have always wanted to be there when Jesus chose His disciples. I have pictured Him picking me for his team, at least instead of doubting Thomas or "the other Judas". And here He is, right here in His prayer, choosing Me, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word"(vs. 20).
Prayer
Being chosen and wanted by others is a wonderful thing. Being chosen and wanted by You Jesus is mind boggling and frankly overwhelming. Oh, what a thing it is to realize afresh and anew this morning that You had me in mind to be with You for eternity all the way to The Cross, To Hell, and back again! I'm astonished and in awe that You actually want to be with me and I honestly can't figure out why I would ever want to skip this time alone with You.
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