Friday | 26 April 2019
Jesus went from the first communion service to the Mount of Olives to pray. He prayed for all those whom the Father had given to Him out of the world. Joh 17:9. He was referring to the sheep who belonged to His sheepfold. This included the disciples, and all those who belonged to the house to house fellowship that He had established during His ministry.
When Jesus prayed for the sheep who belonged to His sheepfold, He was acutely aware that the midnight hour was approaching, and that a thief was coming. Satan had entered Judas at the last supper, and was coming to steal, kill and destroy the sheep. Joh 13:27. Jesus knew that He would be struck down as the great Shepherd, so that His sheep would be scattered. He prayed that the Father would keep the sheep from the evil one, so that they would not be lost and destroyed. Joh 17:15. Jesus prayed for His disciples. He also prayed for all the sheep who would be gathered into His sheepfold because of the word that would be proclaimed by His under-shepherds in each generation. Joh 17:20.
On the Mount of Olives, Jesus foresaw the fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah, concerning the sheep from every nation of the world. Isaiah proclaimed, ‘Surely these shall come from afar; Look! Those from the north and the west, and these from the land of Sinim.’ Isa 49:12. The land of Sinim is the nation of China. There will be a multitude of sheep from every nation who will walk in the fellowship of Christ’s offering to become part of His sheepfold. Isaiah said, ‘They shall feed along the roads, and their pastures shall be on all desolate heights. They shall neither hunger nor thirst, neither heat nor sun shall strike them; For He who has mercy on them [the great Shepherd] will lead them, even by the springs of water He will guide them.’ Isa 49:10.
Further Study:
John 17
Daily Proverb:
References:
Joh 17:9
I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.
Joh 13:27
Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, ‘What you do, do quickly.’
Joh 17:15
I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.
Joh 17:20
I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word.
Isa 49:12
Surely these shall come from afar; Look! Those from the north and the west, And these from the land of Sinim.
Isa 49:10
They shall neither hunger nor thirst, Neither heat nor sun shall strike them; For He who has mercy on them will lead them, Even by the springs of water He will guide them.