Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
John 17
18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. 20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. 20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
Commentary:
17:18 I have sent them into the world probably refers to the teaching that Jesus had just been giving to his disciples, teaching that assumed that they would remain in the world and minister to the world and bear fruit for the kingdom (see 13:16, 20, 35; 14:12–13, 26; 15:2, 5, 8, 16, 20, 27; 16:2, 8, 33), although Jesus would more formally declare that he is sending them in 20:21, and would repeat that commission at his ascension into heaven (Matt. 28:19–20; on the timing see also Acts 1:4, 8).
17:20–26 Jesus does not stop at praying for himself (vv. 1–5) and his disciples (vv. 6–19) but now prays for those who will believe in me in the future. Jesus’ concern is for his followers’ unity (vv. 21–23) and love (v. 26). The vision of a unified people of God has previously been expressed in 10:16 and 11:52. Believers’ unity results from being united in God (cf. 10:38; 14:10–11, 20, 23; 15:4–5). Once unified, they will be able to bear witness to the true identity of Jesus as the Sent One of God.
17:21 that they may all be one. Concerning the unity that Jesus prays for and that he intends for his own, see note on v. 11 (cf. v. 22). In us refers to spiritual union with God and also the personal fellowship resulting from that union.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2059–2060.
17:20–26 Jesus does not stop at praying for himself (vv. 1–5) and his disciples (vv. 6–19) but now prays for those who will believe in me in the future. Jesus’ concern is for his followers’ unity (vv. 21–23) and love (v. 26). The vision of a unified people of God has previously been expressed in 10:16 and 11:52. Believers’ unity results from being united in God (cf. 10:38; 14:10–11, 20, 23; 15:4–5). Once unified, they will be able to bear witness to the true identity of Jesus as the Sent One of God.
17:21 that they may all be one. Concerning the unity that Jesus prays for and that he intends for his own, see note on v. 11 (cf. v. 22). In us refers to spiritual union with God and also the personal fellowship resulting from that union.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2059–2060.
Questions:
- Not only did God inspire the writing of Scripture, He also determined the CANON of Scripture. Canon simply refers to the books that are actually inspired by God and considered Scripture. Many people are under the assumption that a bunch of greedy and powerful men got together and decided what went into the Bible and what didn't. But this isn't true at all. In order for a writing to be considered canonical, it had to be authored by an Apostle and had to agree theologically with other known Scripture. This rules out writings like the gospel of Thomas, the gospel of Judas, the gospel of Mary and the gospel of Philip. These fail all the tests and fall short of what is to be considered Scripture. So, church councils in the 4th and 5th century RECOGNIZED (not determined) the 27 books of the New Testament that met the requirements to be considered Scripture. Have you heard people claim before that a bunch of men decided what was Scripture and what wasn't? Knowing what you know now, does it grow your confidence in the Bible?
- The canon of Scripture is closed. There is to be nothing added to or removed from it. This means there is no new revelation. So we should resist any teaching that claims to contain new or special knowledge that isn't evident in the teachings of Scripture. Gnosticism is when people claim and promote new found knowledge or a special revelation that God has given them. They will then tell you that THEY have had this experience and that YOU need to as well. We must beware! If it's not explicitly taught in Scripture, you should throw it out. Are there any books or teachings you have seen recently that might fall into this category? How can you be sure to stay vigilant when it comes to resisting false teaching? How might you recognize it?
Pray:
- That you confidence in Scripture would grow as you read.
- That you would be discerning when it comes to people's writings and teachings.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
7. How can I trust that the Bible is still God’s Word today? I trust the Bible is still God’s Word today because Jesus rose from the dead, proving He was God and said His words would never pass away. Through the Holy Spirit, God inspired the writing of the Scripture, determined the canon of Scripture and protected the copying of Scripture so that we might know Him and worship Him to this day.
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
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