Jesus' Prayer - 2

 Jesus was looking ahead to his return to the Father. So, Jesus get to the main concern in his prayer. Those who follow him. Not just the Twelve. Not just the Seventy. But all of us who have chosen to give allegiance to Jesus.

Jesus walked before, and lived with his disciples. He showed them, who the Father was -- his nature, and his heart -- and the way they should live. The disciples saw what Jesus said, and did. And they accepted, and believed it all came from the Father.

Jesus prayed for his disciples continued faithfulness, and connection to the  truth. There are many, who have argued, that God's family have not completely been faithful to God's commands, and practices. Peter writes that all of God's family are God's priests. [1 Peter 2:9] So, every child of God represents the Father, and his family. Every child has the duty of giving spiritual care (pastoring), sharing God's forgiveness (evangelizing), and helping to begin new expressions of God's family (church planting). But many have professionalized those responsibilities. Only those, who have received special training and recognition, can complete those responsibilities. But God calls all his children to participate. And God calls those in leadership to teach, train, and enable all disciples to obey, and be effective.

And Jesus' concern here is that those giving him allegiance would stay connected to what he has taught them, and what the Holy Spirit will continue to reveal to them.

He is concerned they will be influenced by the world, instead of his truth. Their mission is to continue his mission, and take his word to the world. Not just the professionals. All of his family. So, his word meed to become part of who they are. It needs to affect their thinking, their speaking, and their actions. The world needs to see a difference in them. And that difference is more than attending weekly meetings.

God's mission is to reveal himself to the world, and to call the world back into relationship with him. That mission has now been given to his family. Proclaiming the gospel, demonstrating God's love, praying for one another and the nations, are all part of that mission. And God's family need to remain close to the Father, close to his word, and close to his family, in order to remain faithful to our part of God's mission, and to complete all parts of that mission.