Day 104: The Priestly Prayer of Jesus

Today's readings: John 16-18 and Proverbs 6:12-15.

I. John 16 has Jesus teaching many things to the Apostles. First, He warns them that they will face opposition and persecution for His sake and to not lose faith. Jesus predicts His death and resurrection, that their grief will be turned to sorrow. After this, the Holy Spirit will come to their advantage, to convict the world of sin, guide them in truth, and glorify Christ.

In the next chapter, Jesus gives what is often called the High Priestly Prayer because Jesus intercedes for Himself, the Apostles, and all future believers. His comparison of Christian unity to that shared by the Father and the Son (17:21), we have in the Church, but Christians have not done so well with each other.

John 18 begins the Passion narrative. Judas Iscariot's betrayal is completed as Jesus is arrested. I like how they fell down when He gave an "I Am" reply to them. He is brought before Annas, then Caiaphas, and Peter denies knowing Him. He is taken before Pilate, who questions Him, has Him flogged, and later attempts to release Him under a Passover custom. The crowd, however, chose Barrabas, and Jesus was condemned. The whole thing was a sordid mess that many will answer for. At least it helped convert an actor and hopefully many others.

The BIY Companion, Vol I, has some good commentary on this:

Jesus does not promise a life free from suffering. During his public ministry, he faces derision, humiliation, and pain - ultimately, the loss of everything except his Father... Jesus is betrayed and handed over to Pilate, who asks him, "What is truth?" (John 18:38). This is a pertinent question for our relativistic age. Today, many say, "You have your truth, and I have mine." Jesus challenges this notion, saying that everyone who hears his voice hears the truth. While Jesus says that he has come to gather the lost sheep of the house of Israel, he makes it clear that his saving mission is for people of every nation. (p. 222)

II. Proverbs 6:12-15 gives more advice to young men, not to be liars and troublemakers, either being one themselves or associating with them, for such will bring them to ruin. I've said this before with some of the Psalms, but the same is true with some of the Proverbs: I don't like how they divide them up like this. Something that should be just one or two days is stretched out over multiple days. It's ridiculous!

That's it for today.