Praying Like Jesus - With Complusion to Accomplish the Work of the Father
Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | September 16 2024 | John 17:1-5
KEY VERSE:
For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him”…“I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” John 17:2, 4 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
God the Father gave Christ power over all flesh to enable him to accomplish an important work - giving eternal life to God's people. He is their eternal life-giver. This was the work that Jesus Christ was about to accomplish very soon through His death on the cross. And so intensely driven was He by His indomitable compulsion to achieve this, that in v.4 He already anticipates its full completion by saying, “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” His words in John 17:2 and 4 reveal a deep sense of mission and urgency to complete the work God entrusted to Him. Jesus’ prayer reflects His commitment to glorifying God and His unwavering compulsion to accomplish God’s will. This teaches us that our prayers, like Jesus’, should align with a strong desire to fulfil the work God has given us. Prayer is not just a time of asking for our needs but a powerful expression of our dedication to God’s mission.
In John 17:2, Jesus acknowledges the authority given to Him by the Father to grant eternal life. His work was to bring salvation, and He was compelled by this divine assignment. Jesus glorified the Father by faithfully completing the mission He was given. His entire life, including His death and resurrection, was an act of obedience to God's will. Jesus’ prayer reflects a desire to fulfil God’s mission and perseverance through challenges. Knowing the suffering ahead, Jesus still prayed to complete the work set before Him. For us, glorifying God is also tied to how we faithfully complete His assigned work. Whether in ministry, service, or daily tasks, our focus should be on fulfilling God's purpose, and we must pray with a heart compelled to accomplish His will.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Perseverance in God's work is crucial, and our prayers should reflect our reliance on Him to help us carry it out to the end. When we pray with this mindset, we bring glory to God and fulfil our divine calling.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I thank You for the example of Jesus, who was fully committed to accomplishing Your work. Help me to pray with the same sense of purpose and dedication. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: AUTHORITY
The Greek word for "authority" used here is exousia (ἐξουσία), which means power, control, or the right to act. In this context, it refers to Jesus’ divinely granted power over all humanity.
In John 17:2, Jesus acknowledges that God the Father has given Him complete authority over all people, which encompasses His role as judge and saviour. This authority enables Him to grant eternal life to those whom the Father has given to Him. The context points to the unique position of Jesus in mediating salvation, fulfilling God's redemptive plan through His death and resurrection. This authority signifies Christ's sovereignty over humanity and His divine mission to save. It underscores the doctrine of salvation by grace, where Jesus holds the power to give eternal life, showing the Father's will for all to be reconciled through the Son. It emphasizes the unity of purpose between the Father and the Son in the salvation of humanity. Reflections:
How does recognizing Christ’s authority over all people shape your understanding of His role in your life and the world?
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