Father the hour has come

Language of love

If you find Jesus’ prayer her difficult to understand at first, do not be surprised.  After all, it is an exchange between two divine persons!  The language of love between humans is hard enough to grasp at times, so it makes sense that we would have to read this expression of divine love slowly and carefully.

Jesus’ first thoughts are for his Father.  While he was on earth, he sought to obey him in every way possible and so “vindicate” his Father’s righteousness and goodness.  We see this also when we look at the glory Jesus asks for himself, only to be with his Father.  He does not ask for a great throne or for the unending worship of all peoples.  He simply wants to be with his Father.

Jesus and his Father

Jesus’ prayer does not remain focused on his Father.  The love between them spills over into his love for his disciples.  Imagine all the pressure he must have been feeling.  He knew that the weight of all sin was about to be placed upon him.  He knew that the devil was about to batter him with unspeakable hatred and temptation.  He knew that all it took was one slip, one little sin, and all could be lost.  But what was Jesus concerned about?  His Father’s plan.  His disciples.  Each of us.

Now that is love!

We know how this story ends.  Jesus triumphs!  By dying as an act of obedience to God’s plan, he both glorified his Father and redeemed us from sin.  Love carried the day.

This is the love that Jesus offers us every day, a love strong enough to repel every temptation, heal every wound, and repair every broken relationship.  It is a love that does not discriminate and never grows tired or jaded.  It is a love that we are meant to experience, not just learn about.  Let Jesus shower that love on you as you pray today.  Then throughout the day, look for signs that his love is still out there.  He never stops caring for his people!

word among us