Devotionals

Scripture Reading: John 17:1

Just before Jesus was to be crucified, He placed Himself in a place alone with His Father – a place where He could gain strength and be intimate with God. He lifted up His eyes and proclaimed without hesitation that His “hour is come.” As we pay close attention to our Scripture text, we will learn several things about the heart of Jesus. This verse reveals to us Jesus’ position in prayer, His purpose in dying and His passion to glorify His Father.

Oftentimes, satan uses every thought possible to distract us from our hour of prayer and communication with God. We wonder if we are supposed to kneel, lay, stand, close our eyes, raise our hands toward Heaven, lift our eyes toward Heaven, pray out loud, speak softly or cry out. John 17:1 tells us the customary position of praying. It says that Jesus “lifted up his eyes to heaven.” If this position worked for Jesus, it will work for all of us.

Jesus’ intensity in the garden prayer is unfathomable for our finite minds. He was agonizing over the hour of death. God could not look upon sin. Therefore, God turned His back as Jesus bore our sin upon Himself. This is why Jesus prayed in Matthew 26:39, “… let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

Jesus’ purpose and passion were based on doing His Father’s will, dying for our sin and salvation for whosoever will. Many times, as Jesus resorted to the garden of Gethsemane, He took His disciples with Him so they could know that intimacy with God starts with a personal time of conversation, instruction and obedience. Do you realize your hour is come?

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• Tags: hour, pray, strength

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• Posted by: Dr. Brenda Robinson